Back To The Basics

walkwjc · 05-25-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danalyn

Really?? We hadn't noticed.

HOLY HOLSTEIN IT'S A DANALYN!

Yeah, really.

Adri · 06-11-2009, 11:39 AM

Where's your stupid songs at!?! You know what is nice about being an 'adult' now. I really don't mind being thought childish or silly or whatnot. It's kinda a nice feeling- not stressing how people will percieve me by me just being me and since I'm our daughter I can ramble nothingness and you should have to listen to it which is like totally awesome! A free counselor to ~~pretend to~~'listen to my most inner thoughts.

walkwjc · 06-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adri

Where's your stupid songs at!?! You know what is nice about being an 'adult' now. I really don't mind being thought childish or silly or whatnot. It's kinda a nice feeling- not stressing how people will percieve me by me just being me and since I'm our daughter I can ramble nothingness and you should have to listen to it which is like totally awesome! A free counselor to ~~pretend to~~'listen to my most inner thoughts.

So...how does that make you feel?

Bahaha. That is cool. So you are an adult now? I'm still waiting to become one.

You can ramble anytime you wish, 'cause dads are cool like that.

**Leboman** · 06-15-2009, 08:57 PM

I hope things are going well with you these days.

walkwjc · 07-09-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leboman

I hope things are going well with you these days.

Yes! Things are going well with me so far.

We are transitioning into our new church plant , currently. This is fun. We have about 50 members, half charismatic and half baptist. Interesting so far. Our pastor is more or less baptist, but the church itself is independent. We have a large baptist church sponsoring us as an outreach, so we have plenty of money to get started. I am again leading worship while someone else sings lead? Funny dynamic there, but we all work very well together, so it's working. I get to play electric guitar and play just a tad bit of lead or fill ins, as well. Amy is the all around gracious host, if you will. She has taken the roll of greeter/welcomer/handshaker. She is the real gem in this duo. She can make friends with anyone and people just want to talk to her all the time. So, while I'm up there fiddling with my guitar, she is having the entire church fall in love with her. She is great. Laney is helping in the nursery. That is one of her strong desires is to teach at the nursery level. All the people she works with commend her for her talents, despite being only 11 yrs old. And Seth, well he is just trying to not to get in trouble

. He is actually doing pretty well. He used to be the one that ran around like a wild Indian, but now he seems to be trying to set an example for the other boys. He has changed since his baptism...more serious now.

We have a few struggles lately, some are theological, and some are family related.

Amy's father is a product of the World Wide Church of God (the splinter group that followed Armstrong, for those of you who know) and he seems to be reemerging from his silence on religion due to many of the current events in the world. So, we are heathens for attending church on Sunday and not keeping the feast days again. *sigh*

One of the theological aspects we have been struggling with as we exit a charismatic church and some of the false doctrine our church clung to is the word of faith movement or name it and claim it. Blab it and grab it is my favorite name.

Amy and I were never very deep into this doctrine, as we weren't very charismatic ourselves, but there are little things that are changing for us. The way we pray, the way we think of faith, ect. It's a good thing though.

Another doctrine that has come up again is Calvinism. I talked about it briefly when I first joined this board because we had some really bad experience with a church my sister in law attended. Well, I had put that behind me, but now it has reemerged as something I need to look at more closely. Most of the 'vocal' Calvinists I had encountered had some really screwed up world views and to be honest, were not very nice people. So, pray for me to rightfully discern God's word. Any input would be appreciated.

Other than that, I pray that the Senate does not pass the Cap and Trade legislation. That would decimate our domestic oil fields and further cripple our country when it really cannot take much more. If the Senate does pass it, I pray the President Obama vetoes it, which is not likely, due to the fact that it was his initiative in the first place. Secondly, I pray that our Federal Government slows down on the Health Care legislation. I feel that since President Obama asked for it to be on his desk by the fall, that Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Congress will push through something that is not wholly beneficial to our country. I usually don't say much about politics here, except to say that I support capitalism and conservatism, but it has come to my attention that that may be the problem. People like me don't say much in the face of what our nation is setting itself up for. President Obama has criticized the previous administration for leaving him in the hole, yet extending the deficit 12 trillion dollars does not sound like conscientious spending.

Also, I broke my Seagull. *sad* May it rest in ~~pieces~~ peace.

And for my progress report: I have failed at the push up thing, although I am starting over. I like it, I just quit and then lost my paper, and then well I won't bore you with the other ten excuses I came up with.

But! I am at 310 lbs. That's like 80 kilos or something.

I have lost 18 lbs since 4-26-09 and a total of 33 all together. My exercise has been sporadic, with walking being the most steady. Eating healthier has been my main goal.

There ya go. 310. Pushing for 290 in two more months.

jthomas1600 · 07-10-2009, 04:33 PM

Good luck on the weight loss. It sounds like you're off to a good start. I guess that calvinism is a pretty touchy subject. I've seen it argued quite a bit here actually. I believe, for the most part, with calvinist doctrine. But I do not claim to be a calvinist. In part because like you said it seems that many hard core calvinist are not nice people. Anyway good luck sorting it out. Sounds like the new church is great. I'll be praying for that. And of course along with you, praying that the cap and trade bill goes down in flames.

**redbaron** · 07-10-2009, 04:47 PM

good goal, and you can do it. I have a friend who has gone from 305->248 since 2/1/09 just with healthier foods, smaller portions and hitting the gym. Makes me feel guilty about my dedication level in that area

walkwjc · 07-10-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

Good luck on the weight loss. It sounds like you're off to a good start. I guess that calvinism is a pretty touchy subject. I've seen it argued quite a bit here actually. I believe, for the most part, with calvinist doctrine. But I do not claim to be a calvinist. In part because like you said it seems that many hard core calvinist are not nice people. Anyway good luck sorting it out. Sounds like the new church is great. I'll be praying for that. And of course along with you, praying that the cap and trade bill goes down in flames.

I can't tie the absence of free will in calvinistic doctrine with the rest of God's plan. It just doesn't mesh to me. I have a ton of reading to do and have been concentrating on Romans 9,10 and 11. There is much talk of predestination and the calling of God, but it is written to Israel, not gentiles. I really needed to get back into my bible, so this is good for me. Trading in my big rock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

good goal, and you can do it. I have a friend who has gone from 305->248 since 2/1/09 just with healthier foods, smaller portions and hitting the gym. Makes me feel guilty about my dedication level in that area

You know, as a big guy it seems I can lose weight faster than the typical 1-2 lbs per week most people lose. I don't starve myself, but when I cut 10% of what I eat, it's like I can feed two more people with what I don't eat. So, hurrah for smaller portions. Oh, and what's a gym?

jthomas1600 · 07-10-2009, 08:28 PM

I don't believe there is an absence of free will. I take the Bible at face value and there are too many references to "those who are called, chosen, predestined etc." for me to ignore. There are also too many references to "whosoever" as in Jn. 3:16. So I have come to the conclusion that both are 100% true and our minds are to weak to understand how that can be true. We accept other things as true that we cannot comprehend -- such as the trinity, Gods eternal nature, etc. So I have come to believe that while predestination and free will seem to be opposed to each other they are both biblical truths. I guess now you see why I don't claim to be a "Calvenist" and this is why I don't enter into debates on this issue. I'm pretty sure in Paul's writing there are numerous mentions of forknoledge or predestination as well. I say pretty sure because I'm not. But I will look into it. And I certainly believe that Jesus died for everyone.

**MtlMom** · 07-10-2009, 09:35 PM

People a lot smarter than me have debated the issue for thousands of years, and we still don't have an answer. I've decided that we just aren't supposed to understand.

Donnie, do you have a dog?

walkwjc · 07-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

I don't believe there is an absence of free will. I take the Bible at face value and there are too many references to "those who are called, chosen, predestined etc." for me to ignore. There are also too many references to "whosoever" as in Jn. 3:16. So I have come to the conclusion that both are 100% true and our minds are to weak to understand how that can be true. We accept other things as true that we cannot comprehend -- such as the trinity, Gods eternal nature, etc. So I have come to believe that while predestination and free will seem to be opposed to each other they are both biblical truths. I guess now you see why I don't claim to be a "Calvenist" and this is why I don't enter into debates on this issue. I'm pretty sure in Paul's writing there are numerous mentions of forknoledge or predestination as well. I say pretty sure because I'm not. But I will look into it. And I certainly believe that Jesus died for everyone.

I tend to agree with you, but I want to agree whole heartedly. I want to have exhausted the issue until I can honestly say that there is not much I can do to understand this fully. I haven't done that yet. I really dig passages like Romans Chapter 12 where Paul talks of love and the body of Christ being the church, and working together and God's will. This is part of my 'trading in my big rock' and hammering down some of the hard stuff like Romans 9-11. And it may not be that hard, its just not readily comprehended in my mind.

There are words and theologies out there that I don't understand, and the more in depth I become in the ministry, the more I run into these contrary beliefs. I guess it would be different if I were of a denominational church, but I doubt it. I think even among the mainline denominations there are plenty of calvinists and arminians and dispensationism-ists and amillenium-ists. I just tend to run into people with diverse theological leanings and I am tired of being swayed by 'every wind of doctrine'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtlMom

People a lot smarter than me have debated the issue for thousands of years, and we still don't have an answer. I've decided that we just aren't supposed to understand.

Yeah, but I think if I study hard enough, I'll have an answer for you by morning. [/supersmart]

Quote:

Donnie, do you have a dog?

Yes, I have two. [/quizzical]

Either you are changing the subject with a totally random question...which is one of my own tactics...or you just wanted to know if I had a dog. Smartypants.

**MtlMom** · 07-11-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Guru

Yeah, but I think if I study hard enough, I'll have an answer for you by morning. [/supersmart]

Okay. I was going to cast my Arminian vote, but I'll wait.

Quote:

Yes, I have two. [/quizzical]

Either you are changing the subject with a totally random question...which is one of my own tactics...or you just wanted to know if I had a dog. Smartypants.

I wasn't necessarily changing the subject, I had just run out of things to say on that topic.

And I wanted to know if you had a dog.

walkwjc · 07-11-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtlMom

Okay. I was going to cast my Arminian vote, but I'll wait.

Thanks for being reserved.

Quote:

I wasn't necessarily changing the subject, I had just run out of things to say on that topic.

And I wanted to know if you had a dog.

I have three cats also. We just got a new kitten. Sylvester. He is fun...except at night when I try to sleep. He bites my toes and plays racetrack on my head.

Ring of a bell · 07-11-2009, 12:12 PM

Hi Donnie. I am coming out from lurking and saying hello. So, HELLO! Glad to hear that things are going well for you at home. It's always interesting hearing what sort of things people are working through in their faith. So I have really enjoyed reading your posts this week. While I feel somewhat settled in my own heart about the Calvinism/Arminianism debate, something I have been thinking about is Spiritual Warfare today. What is true spiritual warfare, is it casting out demons? Is it all in our minds? I don't know yet. But it's been fun. Also, trying to read Job this summer has been a challenge.

sorry about the ramble. I am just glad to see my brothers and sisters talking about the Lord!

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 07-11-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

I don't believe there is an absence of free will. I take the Bible at face value and there are too many references to "those who are called, chosen, predestined etc." for me to ignore. There are also too many references to "whosoever" as in Jn. 3:16. So I have come to the conclusion that both are 100% true and our minds are to weak to understand how that can be true. We accept other things as true that we cannot comprehend -- such as the trinity, Gods eternal nature, etc. So I have come to believe that while predestination and free will seem to be opposed to each other they are both biblical truths. I guess now you see why I don't claim to be a "Calvenist" and this is why I don't enter into debates on this issue. I'm pretty sure in Paul's writing there are numerous mentions of forknoledge or predestination as well. I say pretty sure because I'm not. But I will look into it. And I certainly believe that Jesus died for everyone.

Have you ever read the five remonstrances? [/shamelessarminian]