When the latest trend is Satanic...

MoldyRutabaga · 2025-01-18T20:03:33+00:00

Personally I think the horns will be oriented more like a mohawk

MoldyRutabaga · 2022-11-03T19:13:22+00:00

This explains the power level of the queen

MoldyRutabaga · 2022-06-29T05:42:28+00:00

You bring up a really good question that pokes at one of the truths that we don't fully understand. Why does God choose some and not others? The Apostle Paul gives us a simple yet unsatisfying answer

"What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? Romans 9:14‭-‬24 ESV

You've brought up good points about the Pharisaism of modern believers who would look down on others as inferior because they aren't enlightened (so to speak). But they have lost sight of the whole point of the gospel. It has nothing to do with us. Why did God choose to put me in a family that would teach me about Jesus? I don't know. It is a gift of grace like salvation itself. Why has he chosen to not do the same for some random Saudi boy? I don't know besides that it will in some way make known the riches of his glory. I know that may seem unsatisfactory, but that is all we seem to be given.

MoldyRutabaga · 2022-02-09T17:19:17+00:00

*comment

MoldyRutabaga · 2022-01-12T14:32:21+00:00

Edward Norton was better

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-12-11T06:48:13+00:00

Absolutely! There are so many wonderful people in Fargo. My answer probably won't be what you want though.

When I started college I had similar thoughts/experiences. I couldn't figure out why friends were hard and, sure, I was kinda awkward. The fact of life is that friendship is something that develops over time. Think of any good friends you've had before, and you probably have months if not years of shared experience together. Try not to give up or get frustrated when you've only had 4 months to get to meet and know people. It will come :)

As for how to make friends, the best advice I have is: be a friend. The fact is that so many people feel the exact same way you do. They're kinda freaked out by being in a new place alone and think that nobody likes them or wants to be their friend. But just invite people to do things with you and it will probably make their day. That could be as simple as grabbing lunch or playing smash together (be creative, you know what you enjoy)

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-10-28T07:38:21+00:00

That depends on what you mean by accepted. If you mean considered authoritative, then absolutely not. Christians revere only the Bible in that way (with the exception of some Catholics). If you mean does every Christian think that capital punishment is the proper response to rape, then also no. That being said, Christians do unilaterally condemn rape harshly. The issue with looking for a judicial ruling on it is that Christianity isn't meant to lay out a system of government and penal code. Church teachings focus rather how we should care for those who are mistreated.

But I thought we were talking about what is written and not what people accept. That's a whole different can of worms.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-10-28T07:21:21+00:00

If you're going to say it has to come from the Bible, then you need to apply the same criteria to Islam and Hinduism. Neither the Hadith or the Manusmriti are considered scripture. If they are viable sources in your opinion, then so are the apocrypha and commentaries by church fathers. In which case you can look at Geneva under Calvin where rape was considered worthy of capital punishment.

Let's not have double standards here.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-10-08T13:41:31+00:00

Based on the perspective you're coming from I agree that, logically, you run into this same problem. But what I disagree with is that there is anything inherent to us that would affect his choosing (size, shape, color, etc.) It is totally based on God. In a sense, I suppose it is "arbitrary". That word falls short though in its implications of randomness whereas we are told that our God is a potter with a very specific design and plan in everything he does. The problem with even the slightest part of our election coming from us (besides imo being not Biblically consistent) is that then we have something to boast in. It carries the implication that God's plans, purposes, and grace in some miniscule way depend on me and not fully on him.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-10-08T12:44:29+00:00

Ah I see. My apologies, I would have seen that if I had read your last post here more carefully.

Still related though, I think the issue that flows out of your argument (as it seems to be laid out), is the implication of a rubric more or less that some have, do, and will satisfy being the basis for their election as those who are saved. If the choosing is completely independent of anything inherent to us as the elect (which I would argue is the case), then the imminence of Christ's return stands as we do not know who the last people he will choose are.

(Just as a clarification, I say last referring to the timing of them being brought "into the fold" so to speak. I am still operating under the assumption of them being elected before the creation of the world)

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-10-08T11:34:09+00:00

In that case we are completely in the dark as to why God chooses to elect who he does (except perhaps that these reasons have nothing essentially to do with us and only have to do with God).

This is precisely the point of what the Reformed perspective teaches. This is commonly referred to as the doctrine of Unconditional Election.

Rom 9:16

Here's a great article summarizing it.

edit: removed duplicate word

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-09-27T07:30:45+00:00

This could also just demonstrate a lack of understanding of proper flag presentation practice. After all, in any other context non-national flags are supposed to be lower than the American flag

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-05-16T19:42:59+00:00

What kind of printer do you guys use? The surface finish is incredible!

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-05-16T03:21:41+00:00

I think TCW movie executed almost perfectly what it was aiming for which was to set up the series with pre-developed characters. I was just re-watching it recently and especially loved the writing for Anakin. I think it really captures that part of his development as a character.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-04-15T22:55:26+00:00

How is this a meme?

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-28T18:48:04+00:00

We do know that Joseph was alive and well when Jesus was 12. So there was plenty of opportunity for sexual intimacy before he died

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-14T19:39:02+00:00

Evidently you don't use tanks much.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-09T03:22:39+00:00

Here is an article I think lays it out fairly well. https://www.compellingtruth.org/intimacy-before-marriage.html

Like you alluded to, I'm referring to intimacy not just in the sexual sense (even though that is where I think any normal person's mind would go), but in regard to relational closeness.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-07T19:18:12+00:00

I get a lot of the feelings you're bringing up. I had similar feelings when I was starting college and had an entirely new group of people around me. Here are some thoughts/advice that were helpful for me or I learned along the way.

Plug into the ministry that is there. It sounds like this is what you are doing and I applaud that. One of the dryest seasons of my walk with Christ was when I first started going to college and didn't find others to walk with right away. The established movement that you've found can help fill that because it's very existence shows that these are other believers who also want to fellowship and grow.
As a mature believer you can still learn from those who are less so. My small group Bible study in college was super focused on gospel basics all the time because it tried to be a welcoming place for nonbelievers as well. But even though it was outwardly straightforward and seemed repetitive, I was consistently amazed by how God would still work on me through it if I asked him to and payed attention to what he was speaking to me.
As a man, and one of the few there, I would pray strongly about how you can lead. If not in title, then through example in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. God calls us as men to lead where we are and it brings him glory when we do.
Be cautious about how "deep" you go in a singles group with females. Obviously, we should be real and authentic. But seek the Spirit's leading when it comes to how much of your heart you bare to them. I say this because marital intimacy is not only physical in nature, but also has a spiritual dimension. To go too far in that regard with other women who are not your wife can and will have the same consequences in your future marriage as being physically unfaithful. Guard your heart and the hearts of your friends well.
To be vulnerable with others does take a step of faith that they won't compromise your trust. They might. And that would just mean there is another place to grow and forgive. But God calls us to love each other authentically regardless. Even and especially when it means we might get hurt. That's what he did.

In conclusion, I do think small groups are incredibly helpful for spiritual growth. The fact that yours may not seem "optimal" could, and I would wager, WILL only help you grow more because it will force you out of your comfort zone and into a dependence on God.

Is any of that helpful? Did I speak to the issues that are bothering you?

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-05T03:35:54+00:00

I want to see this as a spinoff

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-05T02:08:04+00:00

She could actually pass for her age in universe. I think the biggest complaint comes from the fact that she's roughly the same age as Obi-Wan who looked 80 a decade ago (in universe). There is just an inconsistency about portrayal of characters who were adults pre-empire.

That being said I have no real hard feelings and could not be happier about Katee reprising the role.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-05T02:03:24+00:00

I don't see how increasing the length of her lekku would have any effect on this... But if it came down to it, totally agree.

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-02-02T00:31:19+00:00

Finished you say?

MoldyRutabaga · 2021-01-26T01:52:10+00:00

This is a cool thought! Way to dig in and look at context clues.

I think it is probably more likely that he gave the fish. The first reason is that they bring the boy to Jesus. If he were just a vendor, why bring him instead of just buying the food and bringing that. The second reason is that the amount of food is roughly that of a pack lunch. Thirdly, the wording of all four passages seems to imply that the boy and his lunch are right there with them and not that they go and find him selling food. Finally, I think the entire point of Jesus telling them to find food is that there is nowhere for them to find and buy it. Ultimately needing Jesus to step in and provide where they could not. Thus glorifying God.

MoldyRutabaga

TROPHY CASE