Lamp,

"OK, my first question might be..."

Phewww... I was half-expecting you to ask why I read a Bible written at a sixth-grade reading level.

There are several versions out there, and I wouldn't presume to tell anyone which one to read...but...it really doesn't matter.

Just start reading one (though I'd personally avoid the King James). A great place to begin is with Paul's letters to the early churches in the New Testament where he addresses real issues.

We've all seen enough Jesus movies. I wouldn't start with The Gospels. We already know how it ends.

Historically, those churches that received Paul's letters copied them and shared them with other churches. He had a major influence on Christianity after he changed his name from Saul (who...cough ...cough...persecuted Christians).

That's how Christianity began to take form. Paul personally knew several of the Apostles who had traveled with Jesus, though he never met Jesus Himself.

Lamp,

I just hope they end this budget mess soon so the media will stop acting like America's a third-world country.

And of course, only the Democrats care.

Maybe their new slogan should be, "No one cares more than us!" complete with a food-line photo op with all the usual democrats standing behind the tables, with ladles in hand, pouring soup.

Btw...

NKJ and NLB are my current preferred translations.

NKJ traditional rhythm of original but easier to understand. 9th grade reading level.

NLB natural modern English 6th grade reading level.

I bounce between the 2.

Lamp,

"How am I being pompous for saying in #53 that, "AI is still learning."

You're not.

"your current trolling alias seems to need AI to back up it's assertions is telling"

Pompous

Proverbs 11:14

NKJV:

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

NLT:

Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

Lamp,

Fyi...I may recall a verse and ask for full verse or I may recall something I read Paul said have AI find it.

Have you seen the Strong's Concordance?

I just asked it, "Where does Bible say a wise man seeks council"

Lamp,

People have always relied on different sources for information. AI is just the newest one. Why be pompous about it?

I told it today it's been wrong four times this month and honestly, it's been slipping compared to a year ago.

Maybe version 5, or maybe it's just getting rushed from overuse.

Ill read it later. Need to help wife

Lamp,

From AI,

"The claim "he kept the House adjourned because of the Epstein files" is allegation. The reporting shows a correlation (adjournment + delay of vote) and an accusation of motive, but not a definitive confirmation of motive from Johnson's side.

Johnson has publicly denied that motive and framed the decisions within broader procedural or political grounds. So while you're right to say it is being done and is slowing the vote, saying this is definitely why leaves out the speaker's explanation.

The vote isn't yet forced simply because the coalition for the petition isn't fully in place (though close), and procedural rules still apply. So the situation is dynamic."

What you say to AI?

Alex,

"There is no working with Trump. He's insane."

Sounds like I'm correct in my opinion.

They are stubborn and refusing to cooperate.

Lamp,

I don't doubt there are hardship stories out there in the millions.

Being America and not legally a "Christian Nation", that makes this problem a secular issue separate from religion.

Democrates should stop thinking they are America's savior.

They should work with Trump and drop the arrogance.

Corky,

If you're going to be the preacher, here's part of the "entirety" I was referring to.

Christianity is not designed around being a government food program.

It's about personal responsibility.

Just like you are personally responsible for being saved.

Jesus is holding the door open for you, but it's on you to walk through it.

Christianity is, at its core, about personal accountability and the choices we make with the freedom God gives us.

Corky,

Paul also wrote in a letter,

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat."

I was pointing out earlier you can't extract verses and build a church around it. Throughout the Bible we are commanded to be productive and not lazy.

Corky,

Just as I suspected.

Even before Jesus, Jewish leaders interpreted scripture and enforced their own interpretations.

And that's been the practice ever since.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but when is 'enough' enough.

"For Good" has many meanings.

Converting new believers is also "For Good" and I would say is Paul's primary "purpose".

Corky,

Now...leaving the Bible thumping out of the thread, I do agree funds should have been found and I agree with the way it has been handled so far.

It would have been terrible for the Democrats to prevent all SNAP benefits like they are currently doing. They want to extend something that only passed because it had an expiration date. Now the Democrats are exploiting the system to get their way.

I still say live frugal and be grateful.

Corky,

"Paul the Apostle said that Gov is to provide for the common good of it's people."

I'd like your verse you are referring to. I believe you are interpreting something or taking some words out of context.

Paul said, "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do."

I took it out of context and going to build a church where all members must be single.

After all Paul said it.

Truth,

And Lamp accuses ME of deflecting!

Lamp,

I don't revel in replies.

But I do have a perspective that tends to be my own, which can appear to be wandering.

Whether or not I'm contributing is up to the reader.

Lamp,

My mind is aware of many things.

You can't spend your life focusing on trees and ignore the forest.

I'm continually learning.

Corky,

If you were to be saved and become a Christian, you might make a powerful evangelist.

First, you'd have to see Christianity in its entirety and not select parts you support.

It's too bad you're only imitating someone saved.

You're almost only a prayer away. You have a good heart.

Christians should pray for you.

Corky,

Unfortunately, a lot of people today are starting to sound like Sally Brown, Charlie Brown's little sister in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

When Charlie asked her what she wanted for Christmas, Sally said:

"All I really want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share."

Sally and Gordon Gekko ("Greed is Good") have summed up modern American values.

Corky,

Forget your judgement of me.
I'm very much a Christian.

I'll remind you again.

In America, the First Amendment says Christians must not use Biblical scripture for making laws or justifying policy.

And neither can the unsaved who use the Bible as a weapon.

I'm not blind to the hunger that exists in the world. It's astounding how much wealth the rich hoard.

Then I remember that the US holds nearly twice the wealth that China does, and Russia's share is a dismal fraction.

If it has to be hoarded somewhere, I'd rather it be here than under tyranny.

I'd venture to guess running a country is tougher than we know finding the right balance helping American citizens without giving away the store and enriching your enemies.

I'll say it once more. Develop a grateful attitude, and learn to be content with what you have.

Be grateful you're getting anything.

Is free stuff from the government a "right"?

Before anyone quotes the Bible about feeding the hungry, the Bible doesn't say people don't have personal responsibility or they should get more than enough needed.

Eat frugal like the rest of us do when times are tight.

This is cross thread so im not pursuing this

Laura,

They closed the thread we were on. I found a old post regarding my making the claim "you won't go to heaven"...Here's all I could find. Find something else and let me know,

Dan,
"Like when you told Laura you wouldn't see her in the afterlife?"
Find that post and share it.
Also, provide the context. I'm no saint and if Laura was provoking me and making personal attacks I don't know what I would say.
However, regardless as a Christian the whole premise is you either accept Jesus Christ or you don't.
If you don't there are consequences.
Dan.....I do not like your little game. I don't have to play it and I won't.
POSTED BY BILLJOHNSON AT 2022-06-19 07:26 PM | REPLY

Like I said...that's not my MO.