Sounds like a busy week indeed. May the lord bless.

Going for a little day trip tomorrow to help a small church distribute some printed scripture texts and invitations around their city. I’ve done it a few times with other churches and it’s an encouraging time for fellowship, and a nice bit of exercise… Thunderstorms forecast though! 😬 Also, working on a study for 1 Peter in preparation for teaching it later this year.

Thanks for sharing. I thought this was a great article. Simple and to the point. It presented some important (and imo exciting) findings in a very matter of fact way without stretching the implications of those findings.

I appreciate this parallel and thank you for sharing.

I am curious is there’s another aspect that is important here. Samson seems to be a Nazarite. And Nazarites had prohibitions around dead carcasses. Samson has to get very very close to a dead carcass to get the honey. Any thoughts on the significance of this?

I’m sad that this is the perception of many people. And I’m heartbroken that it is in fact a reality in many places. If I may offer a defense though…

What you’ve described is one caricature that does not accurately reflect all Christians, or IMHO even all conservative Bible-bashing fundamentalist evangelicals. I will use my own experience as a counter-example.

I am a member of a small congregation of about 50 people. We have a collection box for everyone to contribute, but we make an effort not to compel this of anyone. The box sits at the back, and is not passed around. Most people don’t use it anyway as, since COVID, we have suggested making anonymous gifts through a digital third party service. We are not a charity and we do not claim any kind of tax rebate for money given the church. No one person is given sole responsibility for these accounts or for the money in the box. Every year, we have an annual report of income and expenses. These are professionally audited and are made available for any member to see. We do not have any full time staff. The work of the church is the voluntary work of the members. We are a family and we serve one another. Our elders are no exception, though we are not opposed to having a full time minister if we felt the need. Apart from the running costs of our building, the money is given to activities, causes and people that we collectively care about. We will give gifts to guest speakers who come to us. They will have to declare their income and pay their tax accordingly. We may also give this money to missionaries or charitable causes. Those missionaries will be responsible for their own tax arrangements also. The church has no assets apart from, obviously, the building. The money we put together each year is the money we will spend that year, give or take.

On politics, this is very controversial. I’m not American and I realise Christians there may have a different perspective. But for us, while we certainly maintain views that would be considered politically right wing, these are on a few specific issues to do with our faith, and do not extend to an endorsement of right wing politics in general. We take grievance with the bad behaviour and corruption that exists within politics and will call it out (though we would avoiding naming names in our meetings) whatever side it comes from. We generally avoid voting, although this is left to the convictions of individual member, and we respectfully disagree at times.

As for being “greedy people pretending to follow God”. It is not only a criticism to throw at certain politicians, but a challenge to each and every Christian. We hope that this would never be the impression of someone who knew us personally. We confess our deep rooted flaws (this is a basic tenet of our faith), and we strive to live better, like our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Many blessings,

I’m not a dad, but I have recently (been) volunteered to babysit my sister’s twin infants on a bi-weekly basis. I have a new appreciation for the time demands of parenting! Nevertheless, it is good to know that this occupation is one that is from the lord. He that is a dad cares for the things of the world, how he may please his children, so to speak. May the lord bless you and your family.

Yes, “home projects,” can definitely get in the way. They can be hard to juggle.

I am terrible at resting!

In theory, I know that true rest in life is found thrugh meditation in the presence of the Lord. STepping away from the world. This should be what our hearts long for, and I think it anticipates the eternal rest that we will one day enjoy.

I’m thinking of how in the troubles (or may we say, the business) of life, this is what David longed for: “One thing have I asked of the Lord… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…” Psalm 27:4, ESV

And also the Sons of Korah: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:2, ESV

Real rest is found through satisfaction in the Lord himself.

In practice, however, I often replace this true rest of the soul with the more menial things of earth. I have a need to constantly be “doing” stuff and I lack the incentive to stop and enjoy real rest.

That’s a Fair point. If I may offer a defense on Sproul’s behalf though. This is a short clip from a longer lecture, so maybe more context would add clarity? Also, his target audience here is believers - i.e. those who have come to trust in God. He is encouraging them to grow in their knowledge of the faith as the writers of scripture do. A different audience might respond in a way that was not intended. Is the preacher ultimately able to control and be responsible for people’s response to their message anyway?

Just a thought I wanted to add as well. While questioning/doubting God shows a lack of faith, I think the Lord is compassionate to such failure and very patient with it. He uses it as an opportunity to grow. I’m thinking of the example of Habbakkuk who questioned God and the Lord graciously answered. Job also. Perhaps most of all, we see the Lord’s disciples asking many questions. Sometimes, he has to rebuke them for their lack of faith, spiritual ignornance, and pride. But he is very patient in his teaching them.

Yes, I agree. Counting denominations is hard for that very reason. I don’t think the 45000 number is reached by counting all independent churches though… the number would surely be much higher. In the video I linked, it’s pointed out that the same study that gives the 45000 number also says that there are only 300 “major ecclesiastical traditions”, which is much more believable. But even this number obscures the significant agreements in doctrine and practice across many groups.

yeah, just saw this being asked on our instance support page, so here’s hoping.

Nice. Same as in not-reformed, or same as in PB?

Yeah, looks like lemmy has some room to develop. I still can’t subscribe even through the searhc page. Will try again later.

Thanks. I don’t seem to be able to subscribe to those communties for some reason. Not sure if it’s just me.

Well, if I may be so bold as to plug my own community.

I have much in common with the reformed traditions, and happy to be a part of the community here. But I am not reformed and wanted somewhere that was a little more broad…

…and somewhere to shamelessly spread my dispensational heresies. 😅

Philippians, 2 Corinthians, 2 Timothy. I love seeing the heart of Paul on display.

Not reformed actually (but very much a fan!). Plymouth brethren (so-called!)