The Bible Line - November 20, 2012

I was talking to an amish man at the amish farm were I like to buy food.  He has a very good understanding of the Bible, though it is the Luther translation into german and he is not as familiar with the english translation.  Based on my conversations with him, the amish have a solid biblical understanding of Salvation, Depravity, Christology, and Bibliology.  I suppose their main distinguishing characteristic is their practical application of Separation and corresponding lack of Missions.  However, it is interesting to note that WAGP news has been saying they are fastest growing christian group in America due to the fact that they do tend to obey the Bible in bearing children and raising their children to follow the Lord. The amish man asked me if I thought people could still see an angel today.  While it was an interesting conversation of various aspects of encounters with angels in the Bible, the end conclusion was that neither one of us knew if people could see angels, ie., have encounters with angels, today.  I'm not talking about angels unawares that are indistinguishable from humans, or about demons (I think).  If the Bible indicates that people can see angels today, then how would you know if someone encountered and angel?  I myself have not encountered an angel, though I wonder if I've encountered angels unawares that look and act like people.  I assume this amish man has a particular story of an encounter in mind and that is why he is asking.  That amish man did also gladly receive a "Would You Like to Have God as Your Friend" tract for his own reading of christian materials.

Lori , Lincoln, NE I was at your service this past Sunday, the way you present the gospel with such passion is awesome. You are living the Kingdom of God. Thank you! one thing you mentioned the Sunday before was that someone involved in homosexuality is not a believer but is just deceived. I know about that issue and have many friends say they can't struggle anymore and have embraced the lifestyle as believers. I don't understand how they can do that, however, I believe that some of them are true believers. They also give the argument, what about a very overweight person whose drug or addiction of choice is food and yet we wouldn't question their salvation. And yes, they may be celebrating their sin by eating that piece of pie. I'm just not sure how to love my friends well who think now their sin is ok with God. Also, they are good about telling me that I can not judge them and it's true, I can not judge someone's heart. I just know when I was in my life dominating sin for a period of years, I was very miserable and am thankful God did not give up on me. I think churches need to some how reach out to the gay community. Your thoughts would be appreciated.Thank you very much!