prisonchaplain

To be fair, this linked article was not from a better known source. Often smaller outlets cut corners on editing. Nevertheless, the answer to your last two questions is mostly no. 😞

@Vort doesn't appreciate the skills of the journalist who penned the article. OK. How about my guess that some LDS youth are struggling, in the same way as their Evangelical counterparts, with the politics of their elders--especially when it comes to supporting the previous president?

There is a generational divide in conservative Christianity: Many young people do not understand how their elders could have voted for someone like the former president. They may not like the alternative, but they bristle--especially at those who speak of the former president in almost messianic terms. Apparently, this divide exists in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well. Leadership is encouraging members to vote intelligently, by looking and candidates and issues, not merely at party affiliation or tradition. Mormon leaders – whose church is often associated with the GOP – push back against one-party politics (theconversation.com). Thoughts?

FCA is Evangelical Christian. It's similar in that sense to Promise Keepers, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Non-denominational churches, and many Christian colleges/universities. These organizations/churches don't emphasize doctrine WITHIN Evangelicalism. Nevertheless, as a Christian, Evangelical organization they will have some doctrinal norms, such as belief in the Triune God, salvation by faith (which often excludes Catholics), etc. So, why would you seek to be a leader in an organization that promotes teachings you don't agree with? If your distinctives are true, if the Holy Ghost is mighty in you, then you don't need to be a leader for that to shine. On the other hand, by becoming a leader you might be perceived as supporting teachings that you don't agree with. Perhaps FCA has done you an unwitting favor.

My outsider view is that creation itself cries out that God exists. However, is it not a prompting of the Holy Ghost that speaks to the soul? "The sun is beautiful, the mountains are amazing, the water so gorgeous--there must be a Maker--a Designer." Such a prompt can be resisted many times. Only one affirming response is needed. A soul can be saved after many rejections/hesitations related to the Holy Ghost. Of course, at some point we harden our heart so much that a positive response becomes out of reach. There comes a point where the Holy Ghost says, "Enough." Afterwards, the soul cannot submit to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. That soul has blasphemed the Holy Ghost. Thankfully, it is not for any human to judge or conclude that this has happened. Indeed, even if I look to myself, the fact that I am wondering if I have blasphemed the Holy Ghost should tell me that I have not. If I had I wouldn't care. BUT, in my rejections and hesitations, I will have delayed my salvation. Those hours/days/months/years are a period of time when I might have been a positive influence on another. So, not only did I put off my own peace with God. I may have missed facilitating the salvation of others. Grief indeed. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is merciful, grace-full, and most forgiving.

Just picture a guy that looks like Ken but less handsome, about 40 years older, and with a significant amount of tactical girth. We went on law enforcement night. 😉

There is a complaint about so many movies and sitcoms of the last 50 years--that they make fathers look stupid, backwards, or unnecessary. Some have made professions out of presentations suggesting that all of this was intentional, anti-Christ, etc. When presented that way I see it. Compile enough similar garbage together and it looks like a conspiracy. What I would like to see--and have seen to a small extent--is believers doing better. I love Praise & Worship music and believe it's better than the evil Rock 'N Roll that I was warned about as a young person in church. Likewise, a few faith-based movies have really stood out in recent years. Maybe Barbie Movie was a cunning conspiracy to make young girls distrust men. Maybe it was meant to push a few to consider immoral sexual alternatives. Or, imho more likely, perhaps it was some rather liberal writers that wrote their perception of things and got a movie made. Either way, we do better when we make better and patronize that which is better. I would never tell anyone that they must or even should watch the Barbie Movie. But, when my adult daughters asked me to go with them I got dolled up (as Ken) and went along. I suspect that my being in the audience helped them view the movie from somewhat lest accepting eyes.

My view is obviously skewed because I'm still Pentecostal, but YES! As soon as I saw the title I thought of the song, "The Heart of Worship." The story behind the song is that the pastor of a large church decided that for one month there would be no singing during the services. He wanted the church to learn that worship was about more than singing. The worship leader went through a deep spiritual crisis. He realized that without music he was nothing. As he continued to meditate, he realized that it was never about him--it was always about God. When the music fades ... And all is stripped away And I simply come ... Longing just to bring Something that's of worth ... That will bless your heart I'll bring you more than a song ... For a song in itself, is not what you have required You search much deeper within ... Through the way things appear ... You're looking into my heart I'm coming back to the heart of worship ... And it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus I'm sorry Lord, for the thing I've made it ... When it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus Yes, our good works demonstrates that the God we say we believe in is real. Good works are where the unbelievers can see that what we believe means something. On the other hand, God already knows. When we sing--when we worship him directly--it really is just about God. It's not about ourselves or anything tangible. It's the ultimate in faith, because it's impractical. There is just too much worship in the Book of Revelation for me not to believe that it is central to our loving God.

Some of us did. Conservatives--especially religious conservative--have the judges we wanted. What can Trump do for the movement now? If he's the nominee, some will vote "No Labels," some will actually vote Democrat, a few will still vote Trump, and others may just not vote. Enough of most of that and Biden wins.

I confess to watching this movie with my young adult daughters and wife. I even wore pink shorts and a blue pullover shirt (I probably looked more like Ken's dad than the man himself). Sure, the movie could be viewed as liberal extreme feminism. However, I suspect that there was a lot of intentional stereotyping going on. Most of the key players were more caricatures than serious representations. With that mindset, the movie was fun and funny. The political commentary might have been an ocean wide, but it was not even an inch deep.

I'm torn between the idea that all elections have a small percentage of irregularities (which becomes problematic in close races) and the reality that some candidates are just sore losers. Sadly, the latter are being empowered not to give up too soon, when reality and dignity suggest that they have already waited far too long.

Joe Manchin came to my mind. This is from Five Thirty Eight, concerning the six wings of the Democratic Party: Conservative Democrats Skeptical of liberal views on both economic and cultural issues; often supportive of abortion limits; generally from conservative-leaning areas. Prominent examples: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. (The site admits that this is by far the smallest wing, but notes it is one of the most important)

I get it @LDSGator. I wish both political sides would do the opposite--Liberals to Conservatives: We'll have Biden step down if you have Trump step down. Conservatives: OK. Now you see why I look to Jesus, rather than politics, for my miracles. 😁

Yikes. To be honest, I went through an AY stage--even read Atlas Shrugged. Alas, I came to realize that she was a militant atheist and simply mirrored the Communists that I (and she) despised. From the AY Institute: Follow reason, not whims or faith.

Today...right now...I am reminded of how grateful I should be to be the father of daughters. 😉

As FYI, our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteers show episodes of The Chosen during their midweek program. I told them I had seen a few episodes and found them engaging and well-done. They certainly compare well to many faith-based films done in the past. 😉

I doubt we'd find as much similarity on most topics @Carborendum but our common belief in continuing revelation is one with much agreement.

A distinct doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints is that God still speaks today. Then again, Pentecostals and Charismatics also believe this--though we experience it mostly through the gifts of tongues and interpretations or through prophetic words. How can we (Pentecostals/Charismatics) tell when an interpretation or prophetic word is from God? How do we discern truth from a false word? I addressed this topic in my sermon today--Hearing the Voice of God:

@Traveler you question would have seemed out of place a couple of decades ago. Today, so many younger Evangelicals are asking the same question. Indeed, Francis Chan wrote a book defending the traditional doctrine of hell. He's not a modernist and he's not so young. However, he pokes at Evangelical culture--especially the megachurch phenomenon (and he should know--he pastored one). For a man in his mid-to-late 40s he's very aware of today's culture. All that to say you have expressed well questions that have become both urgent and important WITHIN Evangelical Christianity: Why must hell be so painful and why must it last forever? My answer is my own. It is an idea for consideration--based on some biblical ideas imho--but it is not any particular church's official defense. Here it is: To reject God is an eternal decision--one made knowingly and willfully. Since heaven has the presence of God everywhere rejectors would hate it. Imagine being in a place where you could not escape the one you despise. He's in every atom. His presence literally lights the entire realm. So, the only acceptable place is one in which God is not present--hell. Since the great rejection is of an eternal God the rejection must be eternal as well. What makes my understanding justified is that those who reject God, on a deep, spiritual level, know what they are doing? Romans 1 says that we are without excuse. Of course, there are some who have never had the gospel presented to them, and we Evangelicals do not baptize the dead. So, what of them? My view is that general revelation is enough--that creation cries out that God is. Thus, those who do not embrace God knowingly reject Him. This understanding leads me to believe that many who have not had a formal presentation of the gospel have, nevertheless, accepted Christ through the embrace of the Creator and his goodness. I still support missions and strongly believe in sharing faith. However, the All-Knowing God is well able to read hearts/minds/souls and knows who embraces Him and who does not. My answer may not be perfect, and many traditional Christians would disagree with parts of it. However, it is accurate in my always humble opinion. 😉

Just as many outside of liturgical churches do not understand, and often denigrate the alleged "vain repetiions," so many belittle the mandatory volunteer work in your community. What you describe here is beautiful and to be lauded.

A common refrain in Evangelical circles is that we must get outside the church walls. The idea is that we spend too much time inside our church walls blessing ourselves and we do precious little out in our communities--presumably where God would having us being his salt and light. Some of us (mostly older folks, I'm afraid) are pushing back against this idea (complaint) because: 1. We do plenty that blesses 'the world' (prison ministry, homeless ministry, crisis response ministry, volunteering (mostly individual), etc.). 2. We only spend 2-3 hours per week in church, and already represent the faith the rest of the time. We probably need to spend more time inside the walls and our teachers need to be less afraid of delivering the meat of the word (v. always bringing lite, easy instruction). Do the same conversations take place among saints? Does the system of volunteer callings keep this balance from becoming an issue?

I'm probably closer to @Carborendum on this one. China can hurt us plenty. My financial advisor doesn't think it's likely, but the group says that if any country can create economic havoc it's China. Then there is Taiwan, N. Korea, and their funding of divisive elements in our society--including spiritual ones. My only point is that they aren't that smart about spirituality--perhaps more the "useful idiots" for the devil. Sometimes ignorance is more dangerous, though.

I doubt that China is that intentional about morally corrupting us. They probably fund divisive politics and media, but material mean to corrupt our morals--I doubt that the Communists are that spiritually savvy. On the other hand, the father of lies might have inspired some less intentional moves that are anti-gospel. Perhaps I am cynical, but I question all theories that ascribe spiritual astuteness to governments (including our own).

The LDS view of hades as being for only a few, and that it is a temporary state for many who end up there, may appeal to some broadly. The teaching that post-death a soul may progress might also appeal. However, I doubt that these teachings are an area of outreach or collaboration with Pentecostals. This part of the board is not so much for explaining Christian views, but most Pentecostals are very traditional on this doctrine--after death, it's heaven or hades.

So much could be said @Carborendum. Suffice to say you did great work "visiting those in prison." During the jail incident you kept your young adult feelings to yourself. You could not be Christlike because Jesus actually knew people's hearts. You had your intuition, but remained calm and did your best for that stage in life at listening to the Holy Spirit. The fact that you believed the person was rebelling against God and society was probably more right than sin--especially since you checked yourself and attempted to let God lead. Try not to hold on to unmerited guilt. The accuser of the brethren (Satan) is the guiltiest one of all.