How Much Sacrifice Is Too Much?

[True]

I have been recently wondering when the Lord is going to require a great scrifice from the members of His church. Most of them live in Christian friendly places and have not had to choose Christ over career, position, prison or death. With the recent imprisonment of 2 missionaries in Russia, and the reaction to some on this board that we should never be in harms way - it makes me wonder if any of us have asked ourselves how much we are willing to sacrifice for the Lord.

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to meet, for the second time, and hear speak a man named Bob Fu. After being a leader in the students movement that led to the Tienaman Square Massacre, he was shunned, kept from school studies and forced to write endless confessions. This went on for months and he cried constantly until someone gave him a pamphlet about Christ. He was so humbled, he was in a position to believe and feel the Spirit. He knew it was true and sought out someone who could teach him more.

When he joined, he knew he would end up in prison to study, as they put it, “prison theology”. He asked the Lord to give him three years so he could strengthen his faith. By day, he taught members of the communist party English and by night he had a fake IT company that was really a front for a missionary training center. Sure enough, after three years, he was caught and he and his wife headed off to prison. He had some very interesting experiences there. I will provide a link to a video but you can read about it in his book God’s Double Agent.

He was eventually released but had to escape to prevent the abortion of his first child. He hadn’t applied and gotten a yellow card to have a child. This was grounds for automatic abortion. He escaped to Hong Kong in 1997 but no one would grant him asylum. Everyone wanted to be on good terms with the Chinese when the handover of Hong Kong happened.

He was in a McDonald’s pondering what he was going to do when a US news reporter asked if she could interview him. She asked him his feelings on the handover and he told about how he and his wife would be imprisoned and his child aborted. This was broadcasted and a huge movement among Christians in the US population and Congress began. Bill Clinton reluctantly granted his family asylum because of the enormous pressure. He has been a world political force ever since. He has testified before congress and recently worked with various senators and representatives to keep Chinese communist propaganda and spies off college campuses. He is the founder of ChinaAid whose goal is to help spread the word about the state of the Christian and other religious persecution happening in China. When we talked to him, he showed us pictures that someone had sent him the night before from China. It was pictures from wives of parishioners of the Early Rain Covenant Church who had been arrested. The wives were there to ask the local prison authorities to give their husbands the Bible’s that they brought. Those wives were arrested, along with a one year old child that one of them was carrying.

The pastor of the Early Rain Covenant Church knew that his arrest was imminent and had prepared a letter to be released if he was not released from prison. He refused to stop openly preaching about Christ or evangelizing. He had already counted the cost of being a Christian. Do you think those women who brought their husbands Bibles didn’t know that there was a good chance they would be arrested? They knew. Did it stop them? Please, please please read the letter from the pastor about his obligation to the government and his obligation to God provided in the following link:


https://www.chinaaid.org/2018/12/arrest ... h.html?m=1


At some point, this will be us. What sacrifices will we be willing to make?

To find out more about what is going on in China, visit Bob Fu’s website ChinAid.org.

Here is an interview with Bob about his experiences. This is part 1. If you are interested, you can check out the other parts:

[True]

At this same conference, a man named Daniel Baumann spoke. He had been a missionary in Afghanistan for 7 years and spoke Farsi. He and a friend felt called to go on a two week mission to Iran. He was arrested when he was leaving. After many beatings and and weeks in prison, he concocted a way to kill him self. On his final attempt, the Lord appeared in his jail cell to bring him comfort and hope. Other amazing things follow. You should watch and see:

I had the wrong video, just changed it to one without any cbn commentary! Sorry!

[mes5464]

14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.

15 For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me.

[Dusty52]

All must be tested as Abraham (D&C: 98:12-15)
One knows from the experience of Joseph Smith in jail that the test wont be more than we are able to bear and lastly while experiencing that test and in that suffering we will be closer to God than we've ever been

[Chip]

These men and women are REAL warriors for Christ!

There is no call for such heroics in the ONE TRUE CHURCH, though.

Contrast the men in the posts above with this insipid fop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9k7i-JOuw&t=32s

Part2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-vJmLoho

What use does God have for such inanity? He can do his own work with whomever he chooses, at any time. I feel like the church is getting left behind at warp speed as it diddles and doddles, fretting over its demographic dilemmas and liability concerns, while it keeps rearranging the deck chairs to the perpetual amazement of the stalwart members. I feel like it's wearing quite thin, anymore. The half life of all nonsense is decreasing daily. God is moving on and the church seems oblivious.

[True]

These men and women are REAL warriors for Christ!

There is no call for such heroics in the ONE TRUE CHURCH, though.

Contrast the men in the posts above with this insipid fop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9k7i-JOuw&t=32s

Part2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-vJmLoho

What use does God have for such inanity? He can do his own work with whomever he chooses, at any time. I feel like the church is getting left behind at warp speed as it diddles and doddles, fretting over its demographic dilemmas and liability concerns, while it keeps rearranging the deck chairs to the perpetual amazement of the stalwart members. I feel like it's wearing quite thin, anymore. The half life of all nonsense is decreasing daily. God is moving on and the church seems oblivious.

I agree that custom and culture get in the way of the message of the Gospel. But they are just flies and gnats and are just dismissed from my mind. One time, I was in the temple and was just standing up getting ready to go into the veil room. Across my mind, in a flash passed a few disturbing thoughts about boy scouts and a law that the church was trying to get passed in Utah. My stomach instantly knotted up. I then heard a voice that was is hard to describe. It was stern and deep and serious. He said, "Christ is the Head of this Church!" It was a reproof. I decided then and there, I would not worry about what the Church did. God has let his prophets all throughout time make many mistakes. What business is it of mine how he chooses to do things? This is my testimony and my condemnation if I ever stray because I have heard the voice of God tell me that HIs Son is at the head the church.

I have wondered why we are not making more sacrifices for Christ. I am an avid reader of stories like the above that I posted. I have come to decide that it is impossible to ask babies to do this. Which is what 18 year old American missionaries are. My son is nearly 17. His head knows all of the doctrine. He has been gifted in understanding this sort of thing. His heart has not. If we even put on a movie with a positive message, he will leave the room. I could detail a lot more things about him but just let me say that he seems to be repelled by light. Yet he has not done much wrong and is your typical teen. He also hasn't done a lot of choosing to do right. How can someone like this be expected to lay down his life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Someone who hasn't even made the small sacrifices?

At 18, I too was spiritually immature. Even though I loved God, I did not understand the need for a Savior. I had no problem making wise choices and didn't understand why others did. Also, I was battling and increasing eating disorder. My mind was harried day and night with a deep self loathing and hatred and I turned ever more inward and more and more isolated. At my one semester at BYU, I experienced all of that but at the same time I sought out God and found undeniable glimpses of Him amidst the darkness of my mind. Was I ready to be called into a situation where I would sacrifice it all for the Lord? No. Did the Lord hate me for that? No. Indeed he showed me great love and kindness and even let me glimpse my future children.

Can we call our babies to be imprisoned, raped, slaughtered? No, probably not.

This led to me thinking....were Ammon and his brethren called on a mission by the church? No. They decided to go on their own. How about Alma? No, he left the judgement seat do serve his mission. What about Nephi and Lehi? Likewise, did someone call Captain Moroni to rent his coat, raise the title of liberty and raise an army? In the stories that I posted, did someone call Bob Fu to organize a missionary training center? No. Did someone tell Dan Baumann to go into Iran. No. All of these men were listening to the whisperings of the Spirit and followed. I have asked myself why I need to wait to get old and to apply to the church to serve a mission. Why can't I call myself on a mission through my desires to serve the Living God? If I do it when I get old and go through the church, I won't even get to preach the everlasting and restored gospel.

In a book that I read called Bruchko, a boy of 19 named Bruce Olsen had desired for a long time to go to the indigenous peoples of South America. He was refused by a missionary board after feeling the Lord calling him there. He asked the Lord why and the Lord told him that He called him, not the missionary board. So he bought a one way ticket and had $70 and left. He had to figure it out on his own relying on God. His goal was the most feared group of Indians who killed everyone they came in contact with. It had been a few years getting to this point but he was finally able to convince another group of Indians to lead him close to them. All of the sudden they were ambushed by this group of Indians called the Moltilone Indians. His friends all ran off into the jungle and he ended up with a huge arrow going through his upper leg. As they closed in, he asked the Lord for an earthquake so that they would run a way. Then he asked for lightning to scare them away, then he asked for a tornado. This is when the peace of God descended on him and he knew that he was in the exact right place at the exact right time. That was in the 1960's, he still lives with them The book is awesome but if you want to hear him talk about some of his experiences, here is an audio of him speaking:

My point and the conclusion that I have come to is: why are we not led by the Holy Spirit to rise up and do these things? Why is it not part of our everyday lives? Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward. God can do anything with a willing heart. Is your hope in Christ so great that you cannot keep it in and you have to share? Has the love of God so permeated your life that you seek to bless others like Ammon and Aaron and Alma and Nephi and Lehi? There does not need to be limits to your missionary work. You do not need to wait, you only need to listen.

I am asking myself: why am I not like Bob, Dan, Bruce, Ammon, Alma, etc. With 5 kids at home, I am reaching out to neighbors but the Lord has promised that one day, he will let me preach with power and authority and when that day comes, I will be ready to lay my all down to Him. Hallelujah!

[topcat]

These men and women are REAL warriors for Christ!

There is no call for such heroics in the ONE TRUE CHURCH, though.

Contrast the men in the posts above with this insipid fop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9k7i-JOuw&t=32s

Part2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-vJmLoho

What use does God have for such inanity? He can do his own work with whomever he chooses, at any time. I feel like the church is getting left behind at warp speed as it diddles and doddles, fretting over its demographic dilemmas and liability concerns, while it keeps rearranging the deck chairs to the perpetual amazement of the stalwart members. I feel like it's wearing quite thin, anymore. The half life of all nonsense is decreasing daily. God is moving on and the church seems oblivious.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I'm breathless at the air of superiority, and the utter 'elite' mindset of the apostle and the pathetic obsequiousness of the Seventy in these two videos. How embarrassing for the "name of the Church"! Reminds me of the psyche of the iniquitous older brothers of Nephi:

Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.

Is there any doubt of the same smugness of Laman and Lemuel being shared by Elder Stevenson? Shame on you, Gary! Shame! Repent!

I recently sat through a disciplinary council for an elder, and one of the responsibilities of the council was to protect the "name of the Church", whatever that means! The name and reputation or PR image of the corporation? Then to see apostles gallivanting all over the world (as in this video) and damaging the image of the Church without regret or culpability is absolutely stunning to see.

Elder Gong was around my neck of the woods already this year. Allow me to share a couple tidbits. I didn't attend, but some of my kids did.

1) Members and leaders were asked to be in their seats 30 minutes prior to the meeting starting.

My comment: why require local members to be in their seats a full 30 MINUTES BEFORE the meeting?? Are the leaders more special? The answer is obviously YES. So, in what way are the apostles more special, and should such respect be given to them? If you say so, WHY?

2) When Elder Gong entered the room, everybody stood up and was seated after he sat down.

My comment: What is going on here? Have the apostles set themselves up as a light, for the praise of the world (a "gain" all by itself)? This is by definition "priestcraft". Why do the apostles not rebuke such praise and adoration?

3) A 51 year-old mother/wife in my ward shared this story publicly: "Elder Gong took time to shake everyone's hands. I shook his hand! What an honor. I'll never forget it. I came home and then shook my son's hand and told him, "Several hours ago I shook Elder Gong's hand. I didn't wash my hand. I came directly home so you could shake my hand which touched Elder Gong."

My comment: Does anybody think this type of praise and adoration is cult-like? It's a bit scary to me. Remember Jim Jones' cult. He ordered and hundreds of his followers obeyed, when he said "drink the poison koolaid". Hundreds of cult members died that day. https://www.google.com/search?q=jim+jon ... 730#imgrc=_


You can see the pictures of hundreds of dead people who believed Jim Jones was a leader chosen by God.

What are we Mormons becoming?

We are on dangerous ground.

[John Tavner]

These men and women are REAL warriors for Christ!

There is no call for such heroics in the ONE TRUE CHURCH, though.

Contrast the men in the posts above with this insipid fop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9k7i-JOuw&t=32s

Part2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-vJmLoho

What use does God have for such inanity? He can do his own work with whomever he chooses, at any time. I feel like the church is getting left behind at warp speed as it diddles and doddles, fretting over its demographic dilemmas and liability concerns, while it keeps rearranging the deck chairs to the perpetual amazement of the stalwart members. I feel like it's wearing quite thin, anymore. The half life of all nonsense is decreasing daily. God is moving on and the church seems oblivious.

I agree that custom and culture get in the way of the message of the Gospel. But they are just flies and gnats and are just dismissed from my mind. One time, I was in the temple and was just standing up getting ready to go into the veil room. Across my mind, in a flash passed a few disturbing thoughts about boy scouts and a law that the church was trying to get passed in Utah. My stomach instantly knotted up. I then heard a voice that was is hard to describe. It was stern and deep and serious. He said, "Christ is the Head of this Church!" It was a reproof. I decided then and there, I would not worry about what the Church did. God has let his prophets all throughout time make many mistakes. What business is it of mine how he chooses to do things? This is my testimony and my condemnation if I ever stray because I have heard the voice of God tell me that HIs Son is at the head the church.

I have wondered why we are not making more sacrifices for Christ. I am an avid reader of stories like the above that I posted. I have come to decide that it is impossible to ask babies to do this. Which is what 18 year old American missionaries are. My son is nearly 17. His head knows all of the doctrine. He has been gifted in understanding this sort of thing. His heart has not. If we even put on a movie with a positive message, he will leave the room. I could detail a lot more things about him but just let me say that he seems to be repelled by light. Yet he has not done much wrong and is your typical teen. He also hasn't done a lot of choosing to do right. How can someone like this be expected to lay down his life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Someone who hasn't even made the small sacrifices?

At 18, I too was spiritually immature. Even though I loved God, I did not understand the need for a Savior. I had no problem making wise choices and didn't understand why others did. Also, I was battling and increasing eating disorder. My mind was harried day and night with a deep self loathing and hatred and I turned ever more inward and more and more isolated. At my one semester at BYU, I experienced all of that but at the same time I sought out God and found undeniable glimpses of Him amidst the darkness of my mind. Was I ready to be called into a situation where I would sacrifice it all for the Lord? No. Did the Lord hate me for that? No. Indeed he showed me great love and kindness and even let me glimpse my future children.

Can we call our babies to be imprisoned, raped, slaughtered? No, probably not.

This led to me thinking....were Ammon and his brethren called on a mission by the church? No. They decided to go on their own. How about Alma? No, he left the judgement seat do serve his mission. What about Nephi and Lehi? Likewise, did someone call Captain Moroni to rent his coat, raise the title of liberty and raise an army? In the stories that I posted, did someone call Bob Fu to organize a missionary training center? No. Did someone tell Dan Baumann to go into Iran. No. All of these men were listening to the whisperings of the Spirit and followed. I have asked myself why I need to wait to get old and to apply to the church to serve a mission. Why can't I call myself on a mission through my desires to serve the Living God? If I do it when I get old and go through the church, I won't even get to preach the everlasting and restored gospel.

In a book that I read called Bruchko, a boy of 19 named Bruce Olsen had desired for a long time to go to the indigenous peoples of South America. He was refused by a missionary board after feeling the Lord calling him there. He asked the Lord why and the Lord told him that He called him, not the missionary board. So he bought a one way ticket and had $70 and left. He had to figure it out on his own relying on God. His goal was the most feared group of Indians who killed everyone they came in contact with. It had been a few years getting to this point but he was finally able to convince another group of Indians to lead him close to them. All of the sudden they were ambushed by this group of Indians called the Moltilone Indians. His friends all ran off into the jungle and he ended up with a huge arrow going through his upper leg. As they closed in, he asked the Lord for an earthquake so that they would run a way. Then he asked for lightning to scare them away, then he asked for a tornado. This is when the peace of God descended on him and he knew that he was in the exact right place at the exact right time. That was in the 1960's, he still lives with them The book is awesome but if you want to hear him talk about some of his experiences, here is an audio of him speaking:

My point and the conclusion that I have come to is: why are we not led by the Holy Spirit to rise up and do these things? Why is it not part of our everyday lives? Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward. God can do anything with a willing heart. Is your hope in Christ so great that you cannot keep it in and you have to share? Has the love of God so permeated your life that you seek to bless others like Ammon and Aaron and Alma and Nephi and Lehi? There does not need to be limits to your missionary work. You do not need to wait, you only need to listen.

I am asking myself: why am I not like Bob, Dan, Bruce, Ammon, Alma, etc. With 5 kids at home, I am reaching out to neighbors but the Lord has promised that one day, he will let me preach with power and authority and when that day comes, I will be ready to lay my all down to Him. Hallelujah!

True,

I sincerely hope and I will pray that you get the opportunity to preach as you desire.

God bless you in your righteous desires!

JR

[topcat]

These men and women are REAL warriors for Christ!

There is no call for such heroics in the ONE TRUE CHURCH, though.

Contrast the men in the posts above with this insipid fop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9k7i-JOuw&t=32s

Part2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-vJmLoho

What use does God have for such inanity? He can do his own work with whomever he chooses, at any time. I feel like the church is getting left behind at warp speed as it diddles and doddles, fretting over its demographic dilemmas and liability concerns, while it keeps rearranging the deck chairs to the perpetual amazement of the stalwart members. I feel like it's wearing quite thin, anymore. The half life of all nonsense is decreasing daily. God is moving on and the church seems oblivious.

I agree that custom and culture get in the way of the message of the Gospel. But they are just flies and gnats and are just dismissed from my mind. One time, I was in the temple and was just standing up getting ready to go into the veil room. Across my mind, in a flash passed a few disturbing thoughts about boy scouts and a law that the church was trying to get passed in Utah. My stomach instantly knotted up. I then heard a voice that was is hard to describe. It was stern and deep and serious. He said, "Christ is the Head of this Church!" It was a reproof. I decided then and there, I would not worry about what the Church did. God has let his prophets all throughout time make many mistakes. What business is it of mine how he chooses to do things? This is my testimony and my condemnation if I ever stray because I have heard the voice of God tell me that HIs Son is at the head the church.

I have wondered why we are not making more sacrifices for Christ. I am an avid reader of stories like the above that I posted. I have come to decide that it is impossible to ask babies to do this. Which is what 18 year old American missionaries are. My son is nearly 17. His head knows all of the doctrine. He has been gifted in understanding this sort of thing. His heart has not. If we even put on a movie with a positive message, he will leave the room. I could detail a lot more things about him but just let me say that he seems to be repelled by light. Yet he has not done much wrong and is your typical teen. He also hasn't done a lot of choosing to do right. How can someone like this be expected to lay down his life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Someone who hasn't even made the small sacrifices?

At 18, I too was spiritually immature. Even though I loved God, I did not understand the need for a Savior. I had no problem making wise choices and didn't understand why others did. Also, I was battling and increasing eating disorder. My mind was harried day and night with a deep self loathing and hatred and I turned ever more inward and more and more isolated. At my one semester at BYU, I experienced all of that but at the same time I sought out God and found undeniable glimpses of Him amidst the darkness of my mind. Was I ready to be called into a situation where I would sacrifice it all for the Lord? No. Did the Lord hate me for that? No. Indeed he showed me great love and kindness and even let me glimpse my future children.

Can we call our babies to be imprisoned, raped, slaughtered? No, probably not.

This led to me thinking....were Ammon and his brethren called on a mission by the church? No. They decided to go on their own. How about Alma? No, he left the judgement seat do serve his mission. What about Nephi and Lehi? Likewise, did someone call Captain Moroni to rent his coat, raise the title of liberty and raise an army? In the stories that I posted, did someone call Bob Fu to organize a missionary training center? No. Did someone tell Dan Baumann to go into Iran. No. All of these men were listening to the whisperings of the Spirit and followed. I have asked myself why I need to wait to get old and to apply to the church to serve a mission. Why can't I call myself on a mission through my desires to serve the Living God? If I do it when I get old and go through the church, I won't even get to preach the everlasting and restored gospel.

In a book that I read called Bruchko, a boy of 19 named Bruce Olsen had desired for a long time to go to the indigenous peoples of South America. He was refused by a missionary board after feeling the Lord calling him there. He asked the Lord why and the Lord told him that He called him, not the missionary board. So he bought a one way ticket and had $70 and left. He had to figure it out on his own relying on God. His goal was the most feared group of Indians who killed everyone they came in contact with. It had been a few years getting to this point but he was finally able to convince another group of Indians to lead him close to them. All of the sudden they were ambushed by this group of Indians called the Moltilone Indians. His friends all ran off into the jungle and he ended up with a huge arrow going through his upper leg. As they closed in, he asked the Lord for an earthquake so that they would run a way. Then he asked for lightning to scare them away, then he asked for a tornado. This is when the peace of God descended on him and he knew that he was in the exact right place at the exact right time. That was in the 1960's, he still lives with them The book is awesome but if you want to hear him talk about some of his experiences, here is an audio of him speaking:

My point and the conclusion that I have come to is: why are we not led by the Holy Spirit to rise up and do these things? Why is it not part of our everyday lives? Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward. God can do anything with a willing heart. Is your hope in Christ so great that you cannot keep it in and you have to share? Has the love of God so permeated your life that you seek to bless others like Ammon and Aaron and Alma and Nephi and Lehi? There does not need to be limits to your missionary work. You do not need to wait, you only need to listen.

I am asking myself: why am I not like Bob, Dan, Bruce, Ammon, Alma, etc. With 5 kids at home, I am reaching out to neighbors but the Lord has promised that one day, he will let me preach with power and authority and when that day comes, I will be ready to lay my all down to Him. Hallelujah!

Sister True,

I felt your comments were written out of great humility, and I appreciate it.

Yes, you're on the right track, in my view, of realizing clearly that we should not wait on the Church before we serve. If God says, "Go and serve," we should go and serve. The story about your teenage son is epidemic, no doubt. The problem, I believe, is that the youth (and adults) are taught complacency. We are a chosen, royal generation. The greatest! As long as we stay on "the boat" (in the Church), we'll be saved. There's a checklist, and if you can check on the boxes, then you're "good with God." This is dogma from Satan. Such heresy cannot be found in the Scriptures. No organization or Church or hierarchy or corporation can save. Only Jesus. The saving truth is the PEARL, and not the ornate BOX the pearl resides in.

You said: "God has let his prophets all throughout time make many mistakes."

What examples are you referring to? Mind you, many LDS believe the lie in OD 1 that the Lord won't permit the president of the Church to lead the people astray. If prophets are being allowed to make mistakes, then they can mislead people. Of course, that is true, and always will be. We must not trust in the arm of the flesh.

You said: "Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward?"

Not sure what you're referring to here. But if a Church leader has done something wrong; then that should at least be mentally noted, if not publicly teaching the error and the correction. We must judge false prophets. Our duty is to discern the good from evil, and the tares from the wheat.

You said, "...he will let me preach with power and authority and when that day comes, I will be ready to lay my all down to Him. Hallelujah!"

I love your faith. I believe you preach with "power and authority" when you have the mind of Christ, and thereby are able to "speak with the tongue of angels." You did in your comments.

You say you are ready to "lay down your all". Verily, you will be required to do so.

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

If you want to study the true principles of our religion that are INTENTIONALLY refrained from (as the Lectures on Faith were gutted from our canon in 1921), please read this pure doctrine, which will save you:

http://lecturesonfaith.com/6

This is truth. It's no longer taught. It's verboten knowledge. And unfortunately for the members, it will impact the ignorant in a terrible way at the last day. "Lord, Lord, have we not done many wonderful works in thy name?" Depart from me, YOU NEVER KNEW ME.

Knowledge of God is what eternal life is.

Sacrifice is the medium through which we come to know God.

[True]

Topcat,

As for your question about what mistakes I meant when I said that God has let his prophets all throughout time make mistakes - just look at the Old Testament. Moses for example. Look at Peter from the New Testament. That is what I meant. Prophets aren't perfect and they will never be yet God is able to do His work.

As for the question about what I meant by, "Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward?" I was largely addressing myself. I have had to answer my own question as to why we are not ignoring Russia and China and other communist or authoritarian countries and preaching the gospel regardless of the consequences. My post above is the conclusions to my own questions about this.

As for lecture 6, I have that confidence, of which is spoken.

[harakim]

Topcat,

As for your question about what mistakes I meant when I said that God has let his prophets all throughout time make mistakes - just look at the Old Testament. Moses for example. Look at Peter from the New Testament. That is what I meant. Prophets aren't perfect and they will never be yet God is able to do His work.

As for the question about what I meant by, "Why are we blaming the church and not looking inward?" I was largely addressing myself. I have had to answer my own question as to why we are not ignoring Russia and China and other communist or authoritarian countries and preaching the gospel regardless of the consequences. My post above is the conclusions to my own questions about this.

As for lecture 6, I have that confidence, of which is spoken.

Then why don't you do it? You say you have kids at home. This is something I think about myself, which is why I'm asking.

[True]

My husband is not quite as adventurous!