Elephants in the Room

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by n david

Sure, there are many mainstream, and even a few A/P churches, who have become modernized and lost the meaning and mission of the church. But there are many more who have not and yet they, too, have suffered in this shutdown.

During this time, there have definitely been an impact on the work of the church. I have been able to continue Bible Studies with nee converts, but it is definitely harder to preach the gospel. Not just because we can’t assemble but because many lost and saints alike are themselves afraid to gather even one-o-one, or even go out. Again, it is not only the church that doesn’t want to gather to hear the Word of God in-person.

I can’t wait for this virus thing to go away and start working again for the Gospel face-to-face . At least during persecution people feel they can avoid the persecutor and meet, but with this virus, people are afraid of the preacher/teacher himself.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Jito463

I would like to address this one aspect. I don't believe most God-fearing Christians who stand for what America was founded on, doesn't acknowledge that God has the right to take any of it away from us as He chooses. As Jesus said, 'not my will, but thine be done'.

Rather, we believe that only God has that right, not any man. So when we cite the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it's in the sense that no other man has the right to take them away.

Obviously, if it's God's will, it will happen regardless of our preparations (for evidence, we need only look to Job), that doesn't mean we shouldn't endeavor to fight for those rights, regardless. That's why a common phrase is, that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We must be on constant watch to keep our rights from being taken away by man, while still acknowledging that God is in control.

[diakonos]

Smells like a zoo in here

[n david]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Smells like a zoo in here

I'm reporting this thread for not adhering to the 6' social distancing requirement...

[n david]

Originally Posted by coksiw

During this time, there have definitely been an impact on the work of the church. I have been able to continue Bible Studies with nee converts, but it is definitely harder to preach the gospel. Not just because we can’t assemble but because many lost and saints alike are themselves afraid to gather even one-o-one, or even go out. Again, it is not only the church that doesn’t want to gather to hear the Word of God in-person.

I can’t wait for this virus thing to go away and start working again for the Gospel face-to-face . At least during persecution people feel they can avoid the persecutor and meet, but with this virus, people are afraid of the preacher/teacher himself.

I went to Walmart this past Friday evening. First, what's with the stupid floor signs everywhere? It's ridiculous.

This dude flipped out on me. I was trying to get through a crowd gathered near a cash register and was behind this dude wearing gloves and a face mask. Someone told him the line was further back and he said he was just trying to pass but there wasn't 6' of room for him to get through. I was about 3' away from him, certainly not the 6', but not too close.

Dude sees me and literally jumps sideways. "What's wrong witchu, dude?! Haven't you been watching the news? You supposed to be 6' away from me!" And then he just runs into the garden section.

You can't really talk to a stranger anymore because of the fear and insanity over this virus.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by n david

I went to Walmart this past Friday evening. First, what's with the stupid floor signs everywhere? It's ridiculous.

This dude flipped out on me. I was trying to get through a crowd gathered near a cash register and was behind this dude wearing gloves and a face mask. Someone told him the line was further back and he said he was just trying to pass but there wasn't 6' of room for him to get through. I was about 3' away from him, certainly not the 6', but not too close.

Dude sees me and literally jumps sideways. "What's wrong witchu, dude?! Haven't you been watching the news? You supposed to be 6' away from me!" And then he just runs into the garden section.

You can't really talk to a stranger anymore because of the fear and insanity over this virus.

We really should feel sorry and pray for those that live in such fear. We have all experienced fear and know what that feels like.

I pray that their fear will cause them to seek the Lord that He may show Himself strong on their behalf - as I am sure you are already doing.

[jediwill83]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Smells like a zoo in here

*steps out of the shower, sniffs the air and just gets back in with a sigh*

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

We really should feel sorry and pray for those that live in such fear. We have all experienced fear and know what that feels like.

I pray that their fear will cause them to seek the Lord that He may show Himself strong on their behalf - as I am sure you are already doing.

The fear is tangible on the faces of many that you meet. I smile at everyone and strike up conversations wherever I can, and really try to interact with every cashier, and service person. People are afraid, but we don't have to let that stop the love of Christ from flowing through us!

I walk several miles a day, and everyone in my neighborhood knows me. I started waving to them and most barely would even look my direction, let alone wave. However, I kept waving, at every vehicle that passed me, and I looked at them and smiled. What happened? Now, I see people starting to wave at me now before I can even begin. People stop to talk to me, and many have stopped to ask me to pray for them. I'm just walking! But, it is my mission field. I've made it my mission field. I pray for them all, and you know... maybe my smile made a difference in their day.

I'm not succumbing to the fear, because as Christians, we can, and should... rise above it.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

The fear is tangible on the faces of many that you meet. I smile at everyone and strike up conversations wherever I can, and really try to interact with every cashier, and service person. People are afraid, but we don't have to let that stop the love of Christ from flowing through us!

I walk several miles a day, and everyone in my neighborhood knows me. I started waving to them and most barely would even look my direction, let alone wave. However, I kept waving, at every vehicle that passed me, and I looked at them and smiled. What happened? Now, I see people starting to wave at me now before I can even begin. People stop to talk to me, and many have stopped to ask me to pray for them. I'm just walking! But, it is my mission field. I've made it my mission field. I pray for them all, and you know... maybe my smile made a difference in their day.

I'm not succumbing to the fear, because as Christians, we can, and should... rise above it.

This is exactly how I expected you to be!

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Elephant #2

Every Christian I know, have met, or heard of, founds all that they are and all that they believe, on the Holy Scriptures of God, the Bible.

And yet, nowhere, in any place in all 66 books of those Holy Scriptures, does God ever quote Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.

What Mr. Jefferson called rights, we know from the Scriptures are privileges. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are ONLY granted to us by God if and when we obey Him and make Him the sole King and Savior of our souls. If we do not obey Him and make Him the sole King and Savior of our souls, God promises us death, slavery, and yielding up of happiness.

So, in times like these, or in any other times for that matter, why do Christians clamor for their "Rights" when if God Himself decides to pluck up a nation, and gives that nation over to the ungodly heathen to rape, pillage, and destroy it, do we think calling upon Thomas Jefferson is going to save us?

Is not the Declaration of Independence then, or the Constitution of the United States, just a piece of paper, to be dispensed with as the conquerors have need?

The "rights" Jefferson emphasized were "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This was based on Locke's treatises where he described humans as being endowed with certain rights by God inherently, and that rulers and governments should exist to protect those rights. I find this to be accurate and Biblical.