A Season for Spiritual War:

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Sean

I think meeting him in person would end up a brawl. He is ready to explode against anyone who disagrees with him.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."....Exodus 20:16

[Sean]

Nope, I have seen his volatile temper for years.

Bad hombre.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Sean

Nope, I have seen his volatile temper for years.

Bad hombre.

Sean, you are wrong--as usual.

[houston]

Sean, kick rocks.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

Aquila, are you living in sin?

No.

Ones marriage need not be registered with the government to be valid in God's eyes. This was discussed on several threads, and the general consensus was that while a civil marriage offers some benefit, churches, and various faith traditions have historically affirmed the right to recognize holy matrimony outside of the civil construct.

It's called freedom of religion.

[houston]

You just decided to be married and now you’re married?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

You just decided to be married and now you’re married?

No. I've explained it over and over and over and over and over and over and over. And interestingly, most people get it. It's only a loud handful of you guys who don't. Here's an excellent threat on the topic (not even started by me) where it is discussed in greater detail:

Is a marriage license a scam?
http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=50818

I was in a civil marriage for 12 years. My spouse was unfaithful, chose to divorce, and financially devastated me. The way the laws are written, any innocent party in a marriage can be wrecked by the system unless they can afford an excellent attorney. That's when I began investigating the history of civil marriage (which didn't exist in the United States until 1920's). I began to look at the history of "no fault" divorce filing and statutes that essentially eliminate the relevance of being the "innocent party" in a divorce unless one's spouse was guilty of something "criminal".

The marriage covenant was supposed to offer "protections" for faithful spouses, not "liabilities". But the government got involved and actually made divorce rather lucrative. So lucrative in fact, many women (and even sometimes men) marry for the sheer purpose of divorcing a well to do spouse. At no time in human history has "marriage" contained such liabilities for faithful spouses.

In my studies, I discovered various groups such as the Quakers, Southern Baptists, Amish, and others who have recognized marriage outside of the civil constructs. I even made a few Quaker friends who have explained their convictions to me on the issue. Even today there are a number of fundamentalist Christian churches who do not require a couple to be in a "civil marriage" before recognizing them as married in the sight of God. In fact, the house church network I'm a part of isn't a big fan of "civil marriage". In fact, our elders aren't even licensed with the government as ministers. Elders bless couples in the eyes of God, but they do not officiate any "civil" or "government" recognized ceremonies. If a couple is interested in "civil marriage", they are encouraged to seek one through a Justice of the Peace, or other civil agent of the state.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

He’s living in sin? Figured they’d be married by now. Or I at least assumed when he shared that stomach turning story of their nudist behavior.

What a couple does in their home to celebrate their love isn't stomach turning. That only reveals how you view your own marriage and your own sexual hang ups. Why not lighten up, smile if a couple celebrates their love? I have news for you, loving couples often do far more than eat breakfast in the nude. Love can be playful, joyful, and celebrated. And if it is so "stomach turning", why obsess about it and bring it up nearly every time you guys talk to me? Now, in my opinion, bringing it up almost every time you talk to me, that's far more creepy than a couple having a loving afternoon together as God designed them. For the couple, that time came and went. A precious memory. But someone is still obsessing over it and wanting to talk about it all the time. That's not cool. Not cool at all.

The truth is, this is only being used as a stone to throw by a hater. Haters will hate. And they salivate at the thought of throwing accusations in the face of everyone around them. It helps them feel more... "holy".

All you can to do pray for the hater.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

There are several AFF posters who personally know Bro. Benincasa (DDB). They can confirm he is no "fake profile."

Those who know him well enough will agree that, unlike some fellas that sit in front of a large screen computer monitor and forget how small they really are, DDB is exactly the same wherever and whenever you meet him. The guy was born and raised in New York City, and he ran with a mean group while there. I have a copy of his testimony and it certainly proves the power of Jesus' gospel.

People misunderstand DDB when they do not recognize his commitment to Truth. He lives what he preaches regardless what others think. That is a virtue for which I highly admire him. He is also frank and unashamedly honest, Those traits often make people who have things they do not want said to feel uneasy and also mad.

Aquilla, it is no secret that I had much to say about your naked Cornflake escapades too. I've seen DDB act kind and courteous to sinners that have not been Born Again. I've seen the same actions from him for saints that have lost there way and are trying to make it back to God. But when DDB sees a believer confess they are living for God even while they blatantly are living in sin, well, that's when DDB's frankness and unashamed honesty kicks in.

Aquila, DDB is not "stalking" you. Instead, from your posts, it is clear that DDB saw you as the type person who needed that frankness and honesty...and he's not one to let that go as long as you keep acting like naked Cornflakes with a woman you're not married to is acceptable behavior for an Ambassador of Christ.

Last time I checked, this isn't a forum for "pastoral support". It is a discussion forum where many from many different backgrounds and convictions can be (or at least used to be) free to discuss various topics and to have general fellowship. I never requested that Bro. Benincasa provide any pastoral advice or counseling. Nor is Bro. Benincasa my pastor. His approach is unwelcomed, and even after being tolerated initially, it is becoming nothing short of harassment. And still forum admins will NOT stop him. I don't doubt his sincerity. I don't doubt his commitment to "truth" in relation to "biblical doctrine". But he's out of line. And as he stalks me by trying to FORCE-PASTOR me, my only amusement is waiting to see how long the admins will continue to allow this.

Imagine if I stalked 3 out of 5 of your posts, and constantly berated you, condemned you, and harassed you over a difference in personal convictions that you have. Convictions that are shared by you and your church or fellowship. He's voiced his disagreement. And I respect that. However, what I don't respect is the near constant harassment.

[Sean]

I never requested that Bro. Benincasa provide any pastoral advice or counseling. Nor is Bro. Benincasa my pastor. His approach is unwelcomed, and even after being tolerated initially, it is becoming nothing short of harassment. And still forum admins will NOT stop him. I don't doubt his sincerity. I don't doubt his commitment to "truth" in relation to "biblical doctrine". But he's out of line. And as he stalks me by trying to FORCE-PASTOR me, my only amusement is waiting to see how long the admins will continue to allow this.

Imagine if I stalked 3 out of 5 of your posts, and constantly berated you, condemned you, and harassed you over a difference in personal convictions that you have. Convictions that are shared by you and your church or fellowship. He's voiced his disagreement. And I respect that. However, what I don't respect is the near constant harassment.

See TK, DB is out of control with his temper.

Be careful when you have him over for dinner, never argue with him, lest you become the main course.