*⁠\⁠0⁠/⁠*

[Eli1]

Hmm... Where do you reckon this thread should go from here?

I quite derailed it from the second post, and it never did really get back to the original note. The OP never returned to follow up on anything. It seems he stated all he had to say on the matter in the initial sally. Then I built so many counters that I put a carpenter out of business. Then we got off on whether David was good, bad or ugly.

How about jello molds? Mostly for lack of any other ideas. Do you like them or hate them? Have you ever seen a dish that combined jello and mayo? (I swear this was a real thing. I only WISH I was making it up.)

I think the theme of this thread is Faith that Heals. Let’s continue that.
The man at the pool, or Lazarus!
Makes me very happy to hear stories or testimonies of people involved in Miracles even today. It’s my favorite thing to hear.

 

[Branch]

A lot of what you said are considered cultural customs where I come from. Nothing divine.
Since the Jews are near Greece and the Mediterranean region, they share a lot of customs and expressions with the region.

All of the things that you mentioned I don’t see them as inspiring or linked to God in any way shape or form. Especially since there aren’t any Miracles involved in some of these cases with Kings and Queens in the OT.
I see men busy with war, ego, jealousy, behind the scenes schemes, busy plundering (an average day in humanity basically) and THEN I see wisdom when Solomon says : All is vanity.
That’s where I see God!
That’s where the connection to Christ comes where He says : My Kingdom is not of this world. Seek treasures in heaven.

Ironically it’s the cultural customs which have elevated the role of Mother Mary in the Mediterranean region.
Because the role of the mother is highly respected by even butchers and war criminals. Again with no divine inspiration at all.

What’s the takeaway here?
If you find inspiration in David more power to you! This is why God speaks to us differently.
But I can’t find inspiration in David.

Dear Eli1, did you know that dismissing the Old Testament as merely cultural or uninspiring misses the profound ways God works through flawed people and messy history? David’s story, with all its complexities, points to the need for grace—a theme Jesus fulfils. Ecclesiastes’ “vanity” finds its answer in Christ’s promise of eternal life and meaning. God bless you, brother.

 

[Branch]

A lot of what you said are considered cultural customs where I come from. Nothing divine.
Since the Jews are near Greece and the Mediterranean region, they share a lot of customs and expressions with the region.

All of the things that you mentioned I don’t see them as inspiring or linked to God in any way shape or form. Especially since there aren’t any Miracles involved in some of these cases with Kings and Queens in the OT.
I see men busy with war, ego, jealousy, behind the scenes schemes, busy plundering (an average day in humanity basically) and THEN I see wisdom when Solomon says : All is vanity.
That’s where I see God!
That’s where the connection to Christ comes where He says : My Kingdom is not of this world. Seek treasures in heaven.

Ironically it’s the cultural customs which have elevated the role of Mother Mary in the Mediterranean region.
Because the role of the mother is highly respected by even butchers and war criminals. Again with no divine inspiration at all.

What’s the takeaway here?
If you find inspiration in David more power to you! This is why God speaks to us differently.
But I can’t find inspiration in David.

Viewing Biblical Violence as Divine Justice
Dear Eli1,

• Affirms God’s Sovereignty and Moral Authority:
  Interpreting biblical violence as divine justice upholds the idea that God, as the ultimate moral authority, has the right to judge and act against evil. This view sees God’s actions, such as the conquest of Canaan or the flood, as responses to extreme wickedness and necessary interventions to restrain evil and preserve the possibility of redemption. God bless you, brother.

 

[Branch]

A lot of what you said are considered cultural customs where I come from. Nothing divine.
Since the Jews are near Greece and the Mediterranean region, they share a lot of customs and expressions with the region.

All of the things that you mentioned I don’t see them as inspiring or linked to God in any way shape or form. Especially since there aren’t any Miracles involved in some of these cases with Kings and Queens in the OT.
I see men busy with war, ego, jealousy, behind the scenes schemes, busy plundering (an average day in humanity basically) and THEN I see wisdom when Solomon says : All is vanity.
That’s where I see God!
That’s where the connection to Christ comes where He says : My Kingdom is not of this world. Seek treasures in heaven.

Ironically it’s the cultural customs which have elevated the role of Mother Mary in the Mediterranean region.
Because the role of the mother is highly respected by even butchers and war criminals. Again with no divine inspiration at all.

What’s the takeaway here?
If you find inspiration in David more power to you! This is why God speaks to us differently.
But I can’t find inspiration in David.

Dear Eli1,
I mean to describe a dynamic where the presence of a righteous person causes the wicked to recognise their own lack of righteousness, and they gather around the righteous individual. In this case, the individual is the holy anointed King David, a person I truly love, and his Psalm 23 is my favourite psalm. And King David's offspring is Jesus Christ, our lord and Saviour. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are in the line of King David.

"When there is a righteous person, the wicked see the righteous person and realise that the righteous person is more righteous than they are, and the wicked begin to gather around the righteous person."



1. The Righteous as a Light

• Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV):
  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
  • The righteous stand out, and their actions are noticed by others, both good and bad.

2. The Wicked Gather Against the Righteous

• Psalm 37:12 (NIV):
  “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.”
• Psalm 34:21 (NIV):
  “Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
• Proverbs 29:27 (NIV):
  “The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.”
  • These verses show that the wicked are aware of the righteous and often oppose or gather against them.

3. The Righteous as a Target

• John 3:19-20 (NIV):
  “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”
  • The wicked recognise righteousness as a threat or as something that exposes their own failings.

Summary
In the Bible, the general principle—that the righteous are noticed by the wicked, and that this can provoke a reaction (envy, opposition, or gathering against)—is a recurring biblical theme. I am worried about your soul. When I read your post, do you know you are not saved? Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In my experience, the old sinful dragon hates King David, and he also hates the blessed Virgin Mary. God bless you, Brother.

 

[Branch]

Yes my sentiment wasn't fully explained and I apologize. I also agree with you to a certain degree.
I'd rather not discuss it further because this is the part where Western Christianity has a heart attack.
It'd be the same as discussing Salvation.

However, I have made it clear that I don't believe in Sola Scriptura, so that should give you a good indication of where I stand on interpretations.

Dear Eli, I believe that the Bible is God's absolute truth from cover to cover, and it is written in a way that allows even a small child to fully understand its content.

• Authority: Sola Scriptura teaches that the Bible alone is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice for Christians.

Your stance on Sola Scriptura—whether you accept, reject, or modify it—has a significant impact on how you interpret biblical stories like David's.
If you reject Sola Scriptura or do not see Scripture as the sole infallible authority, you are more open to:

• Church tradition, historical context, and other sources (such as the teachings of the Church Fathers, councils, or even mystical interpretations) are equally valid or even superior guides for understanding stories like David's.
• Viewing biblical narratives as shaped by evolving interpretation, cultural context, and the authority of the faith community, rather than as fixed, self-interpreting texts.
• Questioning or reinterpreting phrases like "a man after God's own heart" in light of broader theological, historical, or communal perspectives, rather than taking them as definitive statements about David's character or God's intentions.

If you adhere to Sola Scriptura:

• You treat the biblical text as the highest and only infallible authority, so your understanding of David's story is anchored in what the Bible says, interpreted in light of other Scripture but not subordinate to church tradition or later theological developments135.
• You may strive for theological consistency within the Bible itself, *seeking to harmonize the story of David with the rest of Scripture and evaluating all interpretations by their fidelity to the biblical text1.
• However, Sola Scriptura can also lead to a range of interpretations, since without a central interpretive authority, individuals or denominations may arrive at differing conclusions about David's life and significance54.

In summary:
*Rejecting Sola Scriptura allows you to interpret stories like David's with greater flexibility, drawing on tradition, reason, and community consensus. Accepting Sola Scriptura means you prioritise the biblical text above all else, but you may still face challenges in interpretation due to the lack of a single authoritative guide.* Your stance will shape not only what you believe about David, but also how you approach the entire process of biblical interpretation. Sadly, Eli 1, this is where you decided to stand in the place of no man's land. Eli, you might think it's a fun thing to try to run down God's people with your wild interpretation of dearly loved people from the bible, but know this: what you are doing is dangerous, and hell is no joking matter. Do you realise that in hell, there is no water to drink? If you don't think that is so bad, try going a few days without any liquids and let me know how that goes for you. I hope this helps. God bless, brother.

 

[Branch]

If I was a betting man, I'd bet that will just make it worse.

Consider what Eli said about how Protestants feel about Catholics worshipping Mary.

The Bible strongly condemns lying and identifies liars as opposed to God's nature of truth. Lying is considered a sin and is described as detestable to the Lord. For example, Proverbs 19:22 states it is better to be poor than to be a liar, emphasising personal integrity and kindness over deceit. The Old Testament lists lying tongues and false witnesses among the things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19), and the Ninth Commandment forbids bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16).
In the New Testament, lying is also condemned. Jesus calls the devil "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), showing the spiritual opposition of lying to God's truth. Furthermore, 1 John 4:20 teaches that* if someone claims to love God but hates their brother, that person is a liar, because true love for God must be accompanied by love for others whom we can see. This passage links the concept of a liar not just to false speech but also to hypocrisy in love.
*The Bible portrays liars as those who deliberately deceive and act contrary to truth, which is fundamentally opposed to God's character. Loving God genuinely requires loving others, and failure to do so brands one a liar. Integrity, kindness, and truthful living are valued above wealth or status.
DEAR Lynx, sadly, when I hear from you, I am always disappointed in your contribution. It is never okay to abuse a female on a Christian chat line, and I will not tolerate your inappropriate behaviour any longer. And what do you mean by this statement: consider what Eli1 said about how Protestants feel about Catholics worshipping Mary.[/QUOTE] Lynx, do you get a major satisfaction from hurting the feelings of women and girls? You worm. I hope this helps. God bless you, Brother.

 

[Suze]

Yes, let's continue.
This also rubs me the wrong way a bit too. Which is similar to the story of Job.
So your family members are what ultimately? Statistics?

You lost your wife and kids so now you go and get a new wife and kids?
I would personally never do this. I know it's wrong to say 'never' and you should never say never but i feel very strongly against this.
Could be the culture, could be the way i was raised, could be how i understand devotion or it could be many other things.

But while surrendering to God is unquestionable for me i would find it very hard and i mean extremely hard to marry another woman or have other kids. I just can't even process the idea.

This is also why i think God speaks to us differently because we are all unique and He has given us an almost endless menu of spiritual inspiration where we can go-to and relate.

Dear Eli, I believe that the Bible is God's absolute truth from cover to cover, and it is written in a way that allows even a small child to fully understand its content.

• Authority: Sola Scriptura teaches that the Bible alone is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice for Christians.

Your stance on Sola Scriptura—whether you accept, reject, or modify it—has a significant impact on how you interpret biblical stories like David's.
If you reject Sola Scriptura or do not see Scripture as the sole infallible authority, you are more open to:

• Church tradition, historical context, and other sources (such as the teachings of the Church Fathers, councils, or even mystical interpretations) are equally valid or even superior guides for understanding stories like David's.
• Viewing biblical narratives as shaped by evolving interpretation, cultural context, and the authority of the faith community, rather than as fixed, self-interpreting texts.
• Questioning or reinterpreting phrases like "a man after God's own heart" in light of broader theological, historical, or communal perspectives, rather than taking them as definitive statements about David's character or God's intentions.

If you adhere to Sola Scriptura:

• You treat the biblical text as the highest and only infallible authority, so your understanding of David's story is anchored in what the Bible says, interpreted in light of other Scripture but not subordinate to church tradition or later theological developments135.
• You may strive for theological consistency within the Bible itself, *seeking to harmonize the story of David with the rest of Scripture and evaluating all interpretations by their fidelity to the biblical text1.
• However, Sola Scriptura can also lead to a range of interpretations, since without a central interpretive authority, individuals or denominations may arrive at differing conclusions about David's life and significance54.

In summary:
*Rejecting Sola Scriptura allows you to interpret stories like David's with greater flexibility, drawing on tradition, reason, and community consensus. Accepting Sola Scriptura means you prioritise the biblical text above all else, but you may still face challenges in interpretation due to the lack of a single authoritative guide.* Your stance will shape not only what you believe about David, but also how you approach the entire process of biblical interpretation. Sadly, Eli 1, this is where you decided to stand in the place of no man's land. Eli, you might think it's a fun thing to try to run down God's people with your wild interpretation of dearly loved people from the bible, but know this: what you are doing is dangerous, and hell is no joking matter. Do you realise that in hell, there is no water to drink? If you don't think that is so bad, try going a few days without any liquids and let me know how that goes for you. I hope this helps. God bless, brother.

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

 

[Eli1]

Ladies I am glad to see that you love David or Sola Scriptura. I really am.

This is what free will is all about.

I also love God too but without Sola Scriptura and of course I find nothing edifying in David too.


I wish you well and many blessings for the day.

 

[Lynx]

The Bible strongly condemns lying and identifies liars as opposed to God's nature of truth. Lying is considered a sin and is described as detestable to the Lord. For example, Proverbs 19:22 states it is better to be poor than to be a liar, emphasising personal integrity and kindness over deceit. The Old Testament lists lying tongues and false witnesses among the things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19), and the Ninth Commandment forbids bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16).
In the New Testament, lying is also condemned. Jesus calls the devil "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), showing the spiritual opposition of lying to God's truth. Furthermore, 1 John 4:20 teaches that* if someone claims to love God but hates their brother, that person is a liar, because true love for God must be accompanied by love for others whom we can see. This passage links the concept of a liar not just to false speech but also to hypocrisy in love.
*The Bible portrays liars as those who deliberately deceive and act contrary to truth, which is fundamentally opposed to God's character. Loving God genuinely requires loving others, and failure to do so brands one a liar. Integrity, kindness, and truthful living are valued above wealth or status.
DEAR Lynx, sadly, when I hear from you, I am always disappointed in your contribution. It is never okay to abuse a female on a Christian chat line, and I will not tolerate your inappropriate behaviour any longer. And what do you mean by this statement: consider what Eli1 said about how Protestants feel about Catholics worshipping Mary. Lynx, do you get a major satisfaction from hurting the feelings of women and girls? You worm. I hope this helps. God bless you, Brother.

Uh... What?

1. Where did I tell a lie?

2. Where did I abuse a woman?

3. Where did I advocate any such?

4. Why should I care whether you are satisfied or disappointed with my posts? I don't get a paycheck from you or anybody else here.

5. No, it didn't help at all. Your whole post was just very confusing and quite offensive, as it accused me of rather bizarre things. Not a bit of help.

 

[Lynx]

I think the theme of this thread is Faith that Heals. Let’s continue that.
The man at the pool, or Lazarus!
Makes me very happy to hear stories or testimonies of people involved in Miracles even today. It’s my favorite thing to hear.

Well... That didn't happen.

Now look what you started.

We can still try talking about jello if you want to give it a spin. But I don't think even jello can save it now.

 

[Eli1]

Well... That didn't happen.

Now look what you started.

We can still try talking about jello if you want to give it a spin. But I don't think even jello can save it now.

I think that this new direction is good too.
Sit down and let’s have a coffee.

Jello is okay for me.
Is that too controversial? I just don’t like it that much.
I like tiramisu tho or baklava

 

[Lynx]

I think that this new direction is good too.
Sit down and let’s have a coffee.

Jello is okay for me.
Is that too controversial? I just don’t like it that much.
I like tiramisu tho or baklava

Well you, with your fancy west coast tiramisu, that might be fine. Here in west Tennessee we can only get stuff that was made in a factory and stored for three months.

Now baklava... There's a restaurant down in Corinth (Mississippi, not Greece) run by a native Grecian, and he knows real baklava. If there is any hope for this thread, baklava might just save it.

 

[Eli1]

Well you, with your fancy west coast tiramisu, that might be fine. Here in west Tennessee we can only get stuff that was made in a factory and stored for three months.

Now baklava... There's a restaurant down in Corinth (Mississippi, not Greece) run by a native Grecian, and he knows real baklava. If there is any hope for this thread, baklava might just save it.

What can i say? I'm a 'city folk' or 'city slicker'.
Have you thought about that every situation in life is Baklava with God?
How about that for a new direction eh?

 

[Lynx]

What can i say? I'm a 'city folk' or 'city slicker'.
Have you thought about that every situation in life is Baklava with God?
How about that for a new direction eh?

Baklava wi...

Look here Jack, when I go to w*rk that is NOT baklava with God. That is, at best, a cheaper hot dog with a minor demon.

Now when I come home and scratch behind the dog's ears, HE thinks that's baklava with God.

 

[Eli1]

Baklava wi...

Look here Jack, when I go to w*rk that is NOT baklava with God. That is, at best, a cheaper hot dog with a minor demon.

Now when I come home and scratch behind the dog's ears, HE thinks that's baklava with God.

You leave me with no response for the moment as i have so many choices to respond to that. Maybe let's just drink the coffee for now and maybe later something will come up. Something that might even compliment baklava is such a thing exists.

 

[Branch]

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

Jesus calls His followers to use the same shrewdness but in a way that reveals heavenly wisdom. Elsewhere, He commissions them, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It is good to be cunning, as the manager is. Still, it is better to use that cunning to ensure a place in God's kingdom (Luke 16:11-13). Dear Suze, why should the children of man prosper more on the earth than the children of God? Years ago, I realised why should the children of men prosper more than the children of God. I started sticking up for myself, The way The Lord stuck up for himself. I told myself if someone I work for or I am trying to help does not appreciate me and eighyter they are cerazizing me to my face or behide my back and they do not value my input,I will remove myself from there. Some people have an idea that a Christian has to put up with abuse, thinking that the Christian does not have the right to speak up for themselves. We don't have to put up with people abusing us.God wants us to be happy. But that view is not biblically correct because when the Lord Jesus Christ was accused by the Pharisees, Jesus defended himself

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

Dear Suze, why do the children of man prosper more on the earth than the children of God? Years ago, I realized why should the children of men prosper more than the children of God. I started sticking up for myself the way the Lord stuck up for Himself. I promise myself that if someone I work for or am trying to help in a Christian way does not appreciate me and is either criticizing me to my face or behind my back. They do not value me or my input. They will not speak kindly about me to other people but gossip about me with them, and they are ungrateful for my help. Giving me no thank you. I will quickly remove myself from the situation, even if a family member is involved. I realize I have a duty to the person not to let them mistreat me for their sake.
I don't want them to be judged because of how they are treating me, whether they are criticizing me, poisoning me secretly, or defiling the food or drinks they offer me while they leave the room as I eat or drink. This kind of thing is common among those who are without a god. Hurting someone is amusing to them, and they often do it, or they can't sleep at night. That is why Jesus says you shall drink poison, and it will not hurt you. Some people have an idea that a Christian has to put up with abuse, thinking that Christians are weak and do not have the right to speak up for themselves, according to their idea of God and the bible. We don't have to put up with people abusing us. God wants us to be happy and wear bright-coloured clothing. But their view is not biblically correct because when the Pharisees accused the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus defended himself. Moses is the meekest man that ever lived, and I love Moses. God bless you, sister.

 

[Branch]

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

Dear Suze, did you know that the Lord Jesus Christ calls His followers to use the same shrewdness but in a way that reveals heavenly wisdom? Elsewhere, He commissions them, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It is good to be cunning, as the manager is. Still, it is better to use that cunning to ensure a place in God's kingdom (Luke 16:11-13). * Jesus came in the flesh, and Jesus is Lord, Amen. I hope this helps. God bless you, Sister.

 

[Branch]

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

Nasty People: How to Stop Being Hurt by Them without Stooping to Their Level
by Jay Carter (Author)

Dear Suze, this book is a good read. God bless you, Sister.

 

[Daisy2]

A little leven leveneth the whole lump ? I think that's what u r trying to say ? I once went to a large gathering of my denomination , as was a newby and excited to hear a good informative Bible based sermon . I was crushed . All the speaker did was bash Saul . Nothing else . No insight , just bashing him , trying to make the congregation feel superior to him , trying to make us feel good and glad that we r not like Saul , we would never have behaved the way he did etc . I got up and left about half way through when I realised it wasn't going to get any better .
All of these things r written and preserved by God for our benefit , not to feed our own egos and encourage self righteousness . We r supposed to b humble b 4 God .
I believe that the Old is totally a foreshadow of the New . It's a true treasure to me and I love it very much . At my age , one thing I've learned is to never compare myself favourably against others , never say ' I wouldn't have done that ' . This is to deny our own sinfulness and it's a big mistake . The only perfect person to ever live is Jesus . We must acknowledge our own sinfulness and the filthy rags that we wear every day . Christ is out righteousness , we have absolutely none at all .

That's a very good response Suze. You need to find a preacher with the holy spirit so when you ask "have you heard from the Lord today?" He can say he lead me to this passage

 

[Daisy2]

You Should Date Greta Thunberg This Year In 2025.