Of course prayer, the Word part got. But as you know, the pot pet pot pet part is much longer than prayer or Bible discussion.

For the extrovert who needs to socialize, yeah. For the introvert, not really.

if u really have trouble getting along wif ppl in ur church & it affects ur spiritual growth, then by all means jump ship.

Bible study at my church seldom conducted by elders orpastors. they mostly invite outsiders frm overseas seminary or bible college or other churches mia, etc. tats y i sukak.

some of these have got Dr. titles. not bad la! they got rich knowledge  .

I think this thread has the longest writing in the entire forum..

Well since I do not know Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic,
I have to then rely on accurate translation.

I think it is well documented that NIV is not accurate.

KJV is not the most accurate but then generally it is more reliable.
Basically in NIV, you can find passages whereby the entire meaning actually changes, that is how inaccurate it is.

Luke 2:49
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

He did compare with NIV also based on the article you sent.

Would not think so.

For example, for (thought for though) bibles like NIV or NLT. It's practically useless.

If we are serious about this, then we should look at the original text.
There are certain text that are known to be more reliable for example TR etc.
Also there is the integrity and biasness of the author.
There's normally a discussion saying which part of the bible is misinterpretated wrongly etc.

For example in KJV
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

NKJV
2 even the righteousness of God, through faith of Jesus Christ, to all and on all[a] who believe. For there is no difference;

NIV
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
Just the difference of "of" and "in"

The whole meaning has been twisted.

So that is why, to me NIV is practically not encouraged.

Even NKJV which claims to translate KJV to a more readable English is also suspect because if you look at the above. It does not really do what it claims to do.

As mentioned earlier, I have observed actual entire passages from NIV that are totally different from the rest of the other versions.

There are some bibles out there that are pretty reliable in translation
YLT, Geneva, KJV  etc. And perheps concordance.

So fast close up already?

Anyway, I think there is no perfect translation la as each has its own plus and minus. As the author suggested, it is use a primary translation and use few others good one for reference when unsure of the point or meaning.

Just wondering, don't you find it hard to read or understand KJV with those old obsolete English?

----
Translation :

Literal: The attempt to translate by keeping as close as possible
to the exact words and phrasing in the original language, yet still
make sense in the receptor language. A literal translation will keep
the historical distance intact at all points.

Free: The attempt to translate the ideas from one language to
another, with less concern about using the exact words of the original.
A free translation, sometimes also called a paraphrase, tries to
eliminate as much of the historical distance as possible.

Dynamic equivalent: The attempt to translate words, idioms, and
grammatical constructions of the original language into precise
equivalents in the receptor language. Such a translation keeps historical
distance on all historical and most factual matters, but
“updates” matters of language, grammar, and style.

...

It is not about the perfect translation. It's translating with integrity. Having the heart to translate the word of God as accurate as possible without adding the own meaning in so as not to taint the Word of God.

...

Ya imagine chinese literal translation. the grammar is opposite direction i think.

as i have said translation job is very tiring job. i think niv take 10 years to translate a version.

Who is that? You can address me as General....

I am a different type of General.

Your company don't have General Manager?

Yes it is tough. But it can't escape from the problems. If the church has an underlying issue, are you to just ignore and go on by normal business? I ask you, if you are a member of a certain church in neighbor country, that everyday people come out to the pulpit, one say he save up money to buy a motorbike to go to work but instead when he heard a pastor say that the church needed money, he send the money to the church. Then another man came up and say he and his wife save up money to buy an apartment but when the church called for more funds, they donated the whole money for the cause. Next thing you know, the church leadership is hauled up by the government for "breach of trust" because the money was used to fund somebody's musical career believing that it is for the best of the congregation as it can promote christianity.

Are you to keep quiet and forgive and submit?

Of course. Didn't you see me write, "us". That means you, me the church. Keep the wrong of others? Sorry to disappoint you, I am not so great, I don't have any authority to keep record of people's wrongdoing.

You think I want bad things to happen to the churches is it? But its already happening. Why got raids and all this.

You got my whole meaning wrong.

Obviously we are no where as bad as Iraq where christians are getting slaughtered and fled. But these small happenings to us is a gentle reminder for us all to reflect upon ourselves, how we treat other people. Recently my church got raided, its really a humbling experience for me to get down from the pedestal. But for the rest, I leave it to them, if they continue to behave like that, these happenings serves as a reminder that we are not above God.

Yeah.

But my other friends wasn't so lucky. He was chosen to be part of the committee to assess the feasibility of building a new church in a vacant land. The whole committee comprise of the church leader people. My friend assess the cost too high and burdensome so he objected. But the rest committee approved it. My friend moved to another church. Now this church is struggling with huge building cost.

takut apa? Thats why I am so unpopular at church because I spoke out

Also after that I notice I am not asked to help out in ministry anymore.

Unless I participate in those mainstream ones.

actually i never really thought of it as God's punishment now that you reminded me.

it is so obvious from the scriptures and you can't even see that?

you think we christians are brought here to earth to live in shang-ri la is it? We are God's people are we are gonna suffer for Jesus. Understand? Doesn't matter what i say, at the end of the day, you, me, unknown warrior and the church, we are going to bear the sins of the world for Jesus.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"

Sometimes i just look at the huge churches, I just shake my head. They got multi-million dollar amphiteatures, music equipment that buy several cars and they even have room with the director inside, to direct the cameras and AV personnel during the worship. Do you not think that we are so darn comfortable?

We really need a wake up call !

You mean No, where?

That sentence I put? Ok, typo error. Maybe like Steve Ngai confirm, I just wanted to say we bear the cross for Jesus.

I not get your meaning?

Portion of what?

We are God's people are we are gonna suffer for Jesus. Understand?

actually i never really thought of it as God's punishment now that you reminded me.

it is so obvious from the scriptures and you can't even see that?

you think we christians are brought here to earth to live in shang-ri la is it? We are God's people are we are gonna suffer for Jesus. Understand? Doesn't matter what i say, at the end of the day, you, me, unknown warrior and the church, we are going to bear the sins of the world for Jesus.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"

Sometimes i just look at the huge churches, I just shake my head. They got multi-million dollar amphiteatures, music equipment that buy several cars and they even have room with the director inside, to direct the cameras and AV personnel during the worship. Do you not think that we are so darn comfortable?

We really need a wake up call !

i accuse you of mentally sick? LMAO..............which part i actually said that?

I only said you are too orthodox view to begin with which has confirmed my suspicion that your view is right and other is wrong which is orthodox or very old fashioned