Results 401 - 420 of 1003
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Rowdy Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
401 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120322 | ||
I just looked briefly over both of your two posts in response. It's going to take a little more time to digest it all which I'll do and will attempt a more thorough response but meanwhile... Please forgive me but I scanned for a response to my two main points from James 2 and Matt 25 and didn't see anything specifically addressing those points. Did I miss them? If so, I'll see them upon my more thorough review. IF by chance you didn't respond to those specific points, I was hoping to get your "chop" on those two topics. I guess you've already noticed my statement that I'm not contesting the idea that God's Grace does save us but it's our works that prove that we have that faith in us as described in James 2. Of course, after doing all this study from Mr. Karleen's Handbook, you're entitled to a break, so just let me know. Thanks and God bless. --Rowdy. |
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402 | Practical Application Skill | Ps 141:3 | Rowdy | 120321 | ||
My only response would be to quote from James 3. James is a very practical book and especially useful to modern christians in this day and age. Here he warns about the very dangerous tongue and encourages us to seek after Godly wisdom to control it. More or less the same kind of guidance from your verse above. God bless. --Rowdy | ||||||
403 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120318 | ||
I guess you can call me dense but I don't see how Rom 6 and 2 Cor 5:17 provide answers to the points in my post on this subject. Apparently, you don't wish to tackle my points, all in the same response. How about if we break them down say two at a time? How about if we start with the following: 1) Please explain to me how your interpretation of Grace from God with no strings attached, no need for works is reconciled with Jesus' very own earthly brother, James' teaching on this subject? Ref James 2. 2) Please explain to me how God on Judgment Day will distinguish between the sheep and goats, (christians and non-believers) without works of any kind? Ref Matt 25. Remember, even the Devil believes in the Lord. In answer to your questions: 1) Yes, I believe very emphatically that the saving Grace of God is the ONLY thing that stands in the way between all of us and Hell as our eternal doom. BUT I also believe in the Words of our Lord when He said He would judge the world on Judgment Day by His Words which includes His delegation of some authority to His appointed Apostles. Also, He promised the Comforter or the Holy Spirit would lead them and It lead them to provide us with the balance of the NT, God's Word. So we'll be judged by the WHOLE NT. I'm not able to explain the actual mechanics of how Grace and works blend together; I just know our Father will be looking for both in our lives as His children. 2) I'll have to admit "better safe than sorry" is a modern, man-made designation. What would you call the concept where God sets the example of forgiving us over and over again? We supposed to follow that example and forgive our enemies and our brethren over and over. BUT now that we're assured of our home in Heaven, we don't have to bother. IF a brother can't get his act together, grow up and stop sinning (sins and repents over and over again), we'll just kick him out of the church and send him somewhere else. We don't have to put up with that kind of extra burden and headache, we've got Heaven to anticipate. No need to make certain of anything, we've been assured by Grace. You tell me, is there something wrong with this scenario? I do hope you'll respond in kind and answer my questions above and of course provide scriptures in support. As always, I open up the whole line of discussions for Forum-wide participation. This should result in some really good productive discussions. God bless you all. --Rowdy |
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404 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120283 | ||
I was really counting on your responding to my post no 120278. I was just thinking of the different ways a person might respond and I was thinking of my response. I'm really looking forward to our discussion. Please do think about it and God bless you, dear friend. --Rowdy | ||||||
405 | who can explain to me? | John 1:1 | Rowdy | 120280 | ||
Although I don't have all the answers on this passage, I am convinced this scripture here refers to Jesus Christ as being the Word. Once again, it's difficult for us humans to fully comprehend the complexities of the concept. That is the concept of the Trinity. How can three separate distinct Beings of Diety, God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit be separate yet all in one. That kind of mathmetics just don't add up here on earth but I accept it as fact, based on God's Word and my faith in Him. I do hope you'll keep on studying. God bless. --Rowdy |
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406 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120278 | ||
I knew you guys were going to tackle this subject but I was hoping you were going to address all the points in my post. The major loose ends you left dangling are: 1) The Book of James, the famous straw epistle of Martin Luther. Even he had to admit the thorny concept of works demanded by this book in conjunction with the Grace of God. How do you reconcile these concepts? 2) Why do the acts of kindness as commanded by Jesus in Matt 25? Why should we if we're absolutely assured of going to Heaven as per your teaching or interpretation of Grace without works? 3) Why should we bother with our talents as commanded by Christ in His parable of the three men, 5 talents, 2 and 1 talents? 4) What is the implied meaning of the parable of the ten virgins? Why should we maintain anything in particular with regard to our spiritual growth? 5) Why should we grow as encouraged by Paul? See below. When we could remain as babes in Christ, with less burden and less responsibilities? Eph 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. 6) Why should we bother to add the fruits of the Spirit to our lives (Gal 5:22) in our journey to Heaven which has been absolutely promised to us with no strings attached? 7) Why should we bother forgiving our enemies or our brother for that matter if they keep on sinning and making our lives miserable in spite of Christ's teaching in Matt 18:21-22? I threw in a few extra points as you may of noticed but you can handle it, right? This concept of Grace is all comprehensive, right? Any of you folks (Hank, Mommapbs and BradK or anyone else on the Forum) can feel free to answer the questions but I am looking for responses to all of them. I do hope God will bless you all with an open mind in this endeavor. --Rowdy |
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407 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120253 | ||
In my mind, it all boils down to a matter of attitude. We are the branches while the Lord Jesus Christ is the main vine. Seems like a pretty simple concept. We must prove our alligence to Him as our true Lord and Master. We can't just say Lord, Lord but we must model our lives after that wonderful example we see in Him, and His Apostles. They literally used up their lives, in service and devotion. We should and must do the same. HOWEVER, we CANNOT take the attitude that any of these deeds of kindness can earn our way to Heaven; that's why we must do them in complete meekness and total humility just like our Lord shows us with every fiber of His Being. Nothing we could possibly do, even if we fill up our lives with these good deeds could make up for the life of sin of which we're all guility. That attitude of total humility should come out in these acts of kindness and service to the world. The world can tell when a person is doing these kind of acts for his own purpose. People like this won't care who gets the credit. As a matter of fact, a true christian will prefer to stay in the background and continue to be more effective. Jesus found out once you show the world you've got something they (the world) want like healing of sickness and diseases, they clamour about you and hamper your progress in meeting your goals. But He had such wonderful compassion and love, He felt compelled to give away all his powers of healing, literally exhausting His human body. Why don't you take another look at the book of James and come up with specific scriptures that speak to his points about a live and active faith, one that proves itself in our lives like those folks did in the two centuries? How does works negate faith...it doesn't. They go hand in hand. For example: Why do you continue to post statements on this Forum, reflecting your faith in God's Word? Why do continue to go to worship with your fellow members? Why do you continue to partake of the Lord's Supper every Sunday? If you've got Grace working for you, why sweat it? Just sit back and coast on into Heaven. So please tell me the answers to these questions. I do appreciate your responding to my posts so that I'm not unclear to you, anyone else or mislead anyone. God bless. --Rowdy |
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408 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120230 | ||
So, are we in agreement? Your post above seems to be drawing the same conclusion as my post 120228. Just wanted to make certain. God bless. --Rowdy | ||||||
409 | who can explain to me? | John 1:1 | Rowdy | 120229 | ||
Dear friend, there's nothing wrong with pointing out the obvious to another, especially between disciples of God, most especially while studying God's Word. Emmanus has merely identified in print what has been obvious to us all; his counsel is considered to be very wise. One suggestion I have for you: just slow down a little and re-read your posts. Proof and re-proof them. Guess what, all good Forum participants re-read and proof their posts. I try and still miss some misspelled words and poor grammar. I do hope you'll seriously consider Emmanus' suggestion and look up whatever resources he's referring to. Hopefully, in this process of learning to deal with the English language you'll come to a greater understanding of what God is looking to see in your life. God bless.--Rowdy PS: I'm assuming here that a spell checker and/or grammar checker would cost too much money to install on the Forum or it might slow down the server too much. Does anybody know for certain? |
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410 | Grace AND? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120228 | ||
To start off with, I'd refer you to one of my previous posts, no 119710. And remember, I believe very strongly in the concept of "better safe than sorry." If you can picture the last day and someone knew the last trumpet blow was about to be sounded, which ends the world and the very last thing on everyone's mind is "Do I know for certain, am I actually saved or not?" John tells us, we can know this and know it for certain in 1 Jn 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. I'm convinced that as long as we know the truth, and we've done everything in our power to comply with those commands of God and His representatives, the Apostles, then we can approach Judgment Day with full confidence. Now as to Grace. What about Grace as you've asked? How does that wonderful Grace and Mercy from God figure into this scenario? God will extend His Grace and Mercy as long as we've done our part, He'll do His. His Grace will bridge the gap between His absolute Standard of Perfection as measured out by His Son while He lived here on earth and our puny attempts to strive for perfection in our lives. The way we've lived our lives, in extending forgiveness to those who've wronged us, and acts of kindness in imitation of our Lord as He describes in Matt 25. Thus, this Grace will cover both the sins of commission as well as those we don't do or omission. Let me emphasize these should NOT and CANNOT be considered by us to be acts or works and thus earn our way to Heaven. No, we should see this kind of activity as proof of the Holy Spirit of God living within us. Just as we must prove our identity when we go to an exclusive club or a special ball in honor of a great VIP. Before we can enter Heaven on that fateful day, we must prove to God Himself, we really do have the name of Christ in our hearts. We must be clothed with the attributes of our Lord and Savior. We can't expect to enter into our Heavenly mansion merely by claiming to belong to Jesus as cited in that same passage, Matt 25. We must prove it. This discipleship of Christ, our Lord cannot be just a shallow thing, one of straddling both Christianity and the world. It must be a lifestyle, one that dominates our lives. It must so dominate our life that our neighbor, friends and fellow employees should notice the difference in us, especially when we experience a crisis in our life. How do we handle that crisis? Do we curse or wish something bad on an individual? Do we worry about things in our lives to excess instead of giving our cares to our God and Father? This kind of faith, saving faith must be through and through, completely overtaking us. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I'm there or yet. I'm saying I'm striving for that wonderful stage of maturity. I hope and pray that I'm drawing closer and closer to God with each breath I draw into my body. AND I hope and pray He is drawing me closer to Him. If a person is willing to just maintain status quo or tread water and not actively pursuing a life of Godly principles, studying His Word and maintaining a constant prayer life, it just might be that he may be rejected at Judgment Day. That in my mind will be such a tragic thing to happen. For a person to play the odds and take a chance when he/she should have known better. That's what "better safe than sorry," and "err on the side of caution" is all about. Yes, in anticipation of your response, some like me will need a lot more Grace than others. I come from a long line of christians (having no excuse) and see myself as owing a lot for the many sins in my life. Remember Paul's instruction Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Although the scripture here says "work our your own salvation," it just means we must make our salvation certain, at least as certain as we can, this side of Judgment Day. I do hope this is clear; I can't possibly make it any clearer. God bless. --Rowdy |
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411 | Treasure? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120218 | ||
You make several good points. The main and most important benefit or reward here on earth resulting from being in God's family is the peace and tranquility we get in spite of living and working in a world filled with lost sinners and much Godlessness. Now concerning "storing up treasures in Heaven," I do think God expects us to do everything in our power to spread His Good News of His Son's offering salvation to the whole world. And I think we'll be better able to appreciate whatever reward we get ultimately in Heaven; I'm just not sure how to describe that reward with specifics. I don't think the Bible is very clear with its description of this reward. Revelation is filled to overflowing with pictures of heaven with reference to streets of gold and mansions of wonderful jewels and costly stones but personally I think this is all figurative, especially for the first century christians. But all of humans have a great tendancy to think in finite terms as that's all we can comprehend completely. So God has great difficulty in describing exactly what He's got in store for us, but whatever it is, it's going to be greater than any of us could possibly imagine. My last point: I'm thankful to God that none of this controversy is going to matter very much as long as we put our faith in Him, His Son and the Perfect Sacrifice that Jesus performed for us on that cross. Overall the Bible seems very clear: IF we've complied with the terms and conditions of Jesus' Last Will and Testament, we qualify to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and go home to God the Father. True enough, there's absolutely nothing that you or I can do to earn this coveted reward. We just show proof just like the separation of the sheep and goats. There it's very evident who's who and what's really inside a person life: devotion to God or a choice to follow the devil. Is our name in the Book of Life? How can we be certain? Put our talents to work for Him as plainly portrayed in Jesus' parable of the talents. How can we be certain we'll get into the gate at the final showing of the bridegroom? By studying God's Word and staying in constant prayer to God, keeping God's light brightly shining throughout the world in our lives, as described in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. I hope this clarifies my statement. God bless. --Rowdy |
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412 | Where is "You shall be known as you are | 1 Corinthians | Rowdy | 120193 | ||
This is one of those places in God's Word where it's paramount to read and understand the passage in question IN ITS CONTEXT. Here it's absolutely crucial. Also, one should remember that the Bible was authored and written without the modern advent of chapters and verses. So I'll quote here from the last few verses of Chapter 12. In this chapter, Apostle Paul has been expounding at length about spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit bestowed on the Corinthian christians by the laying on of hands, probably and mostly by Paul. 1 Cor 12:30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. with 1 Cor 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. So after carefully studying the whole of this disertation from Paul, we must conclude that he is saying in the latter part of Chapter 13, that this era of miraculous powers (spiritual gifts) will soon die out and be replaced with an era without such gifts. This era of miracles (signs) was an endorsement from God and Jesus that the Apostles were acting and speaking with Their blessing as being fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. Now I realize this statement will probably be responded to with various different opinions, proposing we still live in an age of miraculous powers from the Holy Spirit manifested in men. I would just like to encourage everyone to look for and compare these modern demonstrations of such miracles against the standard of miracles as we see in God's Word. Are people able to see after a lifetime of blindness from birth? Are limbs restored to good working order after being severed from the body? Is life restored to a dead body after being absolutely dead for several hours, maybe even days? Are we comparing modern miracles to those we see in our Bible that were unquestionably supernatural feats going against the natural laws of this universe? I would urge you to "test everything" as we're directed by Paul in 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I do sincerely this helps clarify mmy previous post on this subject. God bless. --Rowdy |
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413 | Where is "You shall be known as you are | 1 Corinthians | Rowdy | 120179 | ||
I can only suggest verse 12 of the following 1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. These are some of the most famous verses in the whole Bible. Hope this helps and God bless. --Rowdy |
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414 | How to read the Bible | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 120175 | ||
For me personally, I recommend that you start with the NT, starting with Matthew and read on through Revelation. It also helps if you have a good reliable version such as the New King James or the New American Standard. I recommend starting with the NT because it's so important to the modern christian and child of God. Also upon reading the NT, you can jot down notes and/or questions for later study and analysis. In this study of the NT, one must include the OT as a solid reference as many disciples and christians throughout the NT refer to OT concepts and/or principles that can only be fully understood from the ancient Hebrew perspective. The most important item of encouragement I would give you is to remember that it's the Words of Jesus and His official representatives, the Apostles by which we'll be judged on Judgment Day. I say this is contrasted with the guidance from the OT, for there are just a few minor differences between the two. The OT has no place of authority in the spiritual life of the modern christian but let me re-emphasize the word AUTHORITY. So that means in those few areas of contrast between the two, we must give preference to adhering to the NT. Once you start reading the OT, read it all the way through to the last minor prophet. Although some portion of the Bible slows down and gets a little rough to "slog" through, it's well worth the reading. I hope this note encourages you in your study of God's Word and God bless. --Rowdy |
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415 | Treasure? | Matt 6:20 | Rowdy | 120171 | ||
1) It seems pretty clear that Jesus is talking only to those that have a soul with which to go to heaven, so He's talking about us human beings as being the beneficiaries of God's Home after a life of faithful service and obedience to Him. 2) Kind of treasure: I would refer to Rev 2:10 3) How to: Study God's Word as cited in 2 Tim 2:15 4) We must discard the things of this world and think on Heavenly things as cited in Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Hope this helps and God bless. --Rowdy |
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416 | I can't find any specific answer | Matt 16:18 | Rowdy | 120169 | ||
The description of the church and its start, its history all is provided in the Book of Acts. Since it doesn't describe the actual scenario of the Apostles being added to the church, we're left to draw our own conclusions. As for me, since we are given specific instructions like as has been posted before, we can infer that they too followed the same procedures. I believed they followed the same procedures like they prescribed for Cornelious and his household in Acts 10. We don't have any scriptures providing for an alternate procedure for getting into the Lord's church and we know only He can add us to the church. I would guess that among the thousands of people who were baptized and added to the church that day on pentacost, the apostles were certain to baptize each other until all twelve of them were baptized. Is there any other interpretation that could possibly be inferred from God's Word? In supportof this statement, I would refer you to a previous post no 119710. Since we have no reason to think the Apostles would be treated differently, they should have been expected to follow the same procedure as everyone else. I hope this helps and God bless. --Rowdy |
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417 | What nonsense is this? | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 120146 | ||
You make a good point. Sometimes we forget about our great example in the Apostle Paul 1 Cor 9:18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Sometimes we forget to humble ourselves and see ourselves as just vessels for God so He can shine His light through our lives to the whole world, especially those that read or study their Bibles. But all this being said, let's not forget we must speak where the Bible and we should be silent when the Bible is silent and thus allow some diversity on those issues. Hope this helps and God bless. --Rowdy |
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418 | How dangerous is the Tongue? | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 120121 | ||
I'm not sure exactly what your agenda is. It seems to be a game of some sort as has been suggested by several others. I thought I might offer this one last word of caution as others seem to be trying to be your friend and are responding with far more kindness and forgiveness than myself. Hank has alluded to it but then I thought with your brief time in the Forum, you probably don't know so here's the bottom line: If it's concluded by the "Watchers of the Forum" that you ARE INDEED abusing the Forum for your own purposes and not willing to comply with its parameters, you CAN be kicked off. And NO, I'm certainly NOT one of those honored fellows so empowered. You see, my posts kinda "stretch the envelope" and I'm afraid my popularity and style of posts is NOT one to be imitated. So take care, dear friend. Doing the work of the Lord is a delicate business. I would offer one last scripture and then hush. Matt 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. God bless. --Rowdy |
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419 | How dangerous is the Tongue? | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 120081 | ||
I hate to butt in but it appears you're asking a lot from us Forum participants. You join the Forum 3 days ago and give us a one word profile for yourself. Your questions leave a lot to be desired, no scriptures and almost void of detail. And then you criticize the responses you get. I'm sorry but almost any reasonably level headed person would be offended. Your comment above to EdB is cryptic. I hope he is better able to figure it out than I did. AND I hope you're going to stick with the Forum but if I might suggest your studying some of the posts of the "pros," those that have been around for quite a while, like Hank, EdB, flinkwood, CDBJ, Mekarious and Kalos. Studying the posts of these good folks will give you a good idea of good, well thought out statements on the Forum and also a wide variety of styles and interests. To generate a listing of posts for any one in particular, find his/her name in the author column as you see on the bottom of the screen upon posting a question or a note to this post. Upon finding that name, double click on it then the computer presents the statistics for that individual, including his questions, answers and notes and the grand total. I personnaly like to double click on the grand total, thereby bringing up all of his posts, with the most recent at the top. I really am posting this statement, hoping it benefits you. God bless you in your study of His Word. --Rowdy |
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420 | Bible, book and verse Steppenwolf locat | Bible general Archive 2 | Rowdy | 120050 | ||
Now that's funny. Good post (tongue in cheek). God bless you, dear friend. --Rowdy | ||||||
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