prisonchaplain

It sounds wonderful, but what beverage could possibly wash all that down that doesn't break the WoW? ❓

@JohnsonJonesis much more diligent than I am. Thank you for your thoughtful and informative post above. Mine shall be much shorter, though hopefully of some use. 1. Concerning eternal human pre-existence. I've come partway to the LDS understanding. We are eternal in the sense--as mentioned--that God is omniscient and has always known who he would create and how our lives play out. That we were in God's thoughts from eternity is something deeper than I can imagine. It's not what LDS mean by pre-existence, but it's probably more than what most non-LDS have meditated on. While the passages you cite may not, in themselves, convince me of eternal human intelligence they do demonstrate the possibility of it. I imagine that if I came to believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God then this doctrine would not be difficult for me to embrace. 2. As for the fairness of human existence--I actually addressed this in my sermon today--at the prison. I spoke of the contrast between prison chaplains in the U.S. and clergy in China. Here we are employed by our governments and given full access to the prison. I'm invited in, trained, badged, and welcomed. In contrast, my Chinese clergy brothers are arrested and incarcerated for preaching the Good News. Often they are beaten. Then there are the brothers/sisters in N. Korea. If a Bible portion is found in their home they, their parents, and the children are imprisoned. The law is to the third generation. Why the disparity? Is God unjust? My take is that they will be honored by me in glory. God trusts them more than he trusts me with that burden. Thank you again. I hope my explanations offer some insight and perspective from a non-LDS POV.

It's just a staff retreat. I'm sure we'll be gone within 3 days. 😁😁😁😁😁

OKAY...the next Thirdhour.org staff meeting is scheduled at @zil2's house. Home-made waffles and home-made syrup are on the menu. Coolio!

YES. Most Christian groups teach that we were created when we were conceived--that our eternal nature is true moving forward, but not backward. I'm a traditionalist in that regard, though I realize that there is something of us that is eternal because we've likely always been in God's thoughts.

@mirkwood, you've been warned. I'd attend every meeting on your calendar, FAITHFULLY. Miss even one and you're likely to be elected chairmen of the board! Congratulations in advance.

Most Christian denominations would appreciate the article's emphasis on the differences between Father and Son. Trinitarians agree that the Father and Son are distinct beings. The main area of disagreement would be the doctrine that human intelligence was eternal in the pre-existence.

I just read a Christian Post article about the video/song. Apparently, many did not like it. However, the author said that while he bemoaned the conspiracies and victimhood that so many who supported the last president expressed, he came to understand why they felt as they did and elected someone to go north of Richmond and blow everything up. I haven't heard the song and have my own biases against conspiracies and victimhood. Nevertheless, a call to active listening is always healthy.

YES

We're America. We're supposed to be better than this. So, if I really have a choice between being punched and being shot, wow, is this what we've come to? I'm still hoping and praying for better.

Wow, @Just_A_Guy. You put to words exactly what I've struggled. @Grunt if you were looking for a straight answer to why I'm struggling, you just got it.

Last time I had to cut off my nose before I could vote for the candidate I chose. This time I'd have to cut off my entire head to do the same. Unfortunately, if I cut off my head I would then be unable to proceed.

I've argued for straight-ticket voting a lot in the past. This year is different--for both parties. So many are upset with who we believe the two final candidates will be. I generally favor one party--strongly. The philosophical differences are stark. BUT, this year I'm at a loss.

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)