The issue of woman preachers or pastors is a non-issue in some churches and a major issue in others. Both camps I believe are trying to follow the word of God to the best of their knowledge.

Two scriptures have been used to disallow women to preach or pastor: they are 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, and 1 Timothy 2:11. There has also been some scripture tampering as in Romans 16:7 where some translations have changed the name Junia a woman (Greek word Iounias Strongs #2458 which is feminine) to a man’s name Junias. Certain early manuscripts do carry a different name, but it too is feminine “Julia”. She was counted as an Apostle.

The setting of the above mentioned scriptures must be understood. Women during that time period were not as educated as the men. They lacked the freedoms and the privileges that Jesus came to bring both genders when he started the church. When these women went to any public meetings of any kind they were seated in the outer courts while the men were in the inner courts. It was improper for a woman to interrupt the meeting and ask what a certain matter meant so she was instructed to ask to her husband at home and keep silent in the church. Lack of education also increased the temptation, as of Eve, to follow false doctrine. So Paul was right in instructing these particular women not to teach. These women in both scripture were more the exception than the norm. Young women and young widows could easily entertain fables wives tales, slander, gossip which could easily pervert the Gospel and the early church. Added to this Rabbinical Judaism had added some oral laws which Jesus vigorously opposed Matthew 15:3,23,24. This oral law encouraged subjugation of women with statements like this: women are pitchers full of filth, greedy… slothful… prone to steal.

Every blessing, every gift from God must be received by faith. Faith, simply put, is trust. You and I must trust that God actually has something for you, and that He actually wants to deliver (give) it to you. He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

In this case you are asking about receiving the Holy Spirit. To receive the infilling or the baptism of the Holy Spirit ask yourself, what do I really believe about this experience?

Some people believe we have received all there is when we are born again. Some believe that the end of their infilling experience is when they begin to speak in other tongues. There are those who believe that you must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

I know of several people that wish they could be filled; some have even sought to be filled for 30 or 40 years without ever receiving this most important gift.

My mama didn't raise a fool. She also taught me to do what is right in the sight of God and Man. My dad always said, "never start a fight or you will get it when you come home... but you can defend yourself."

After months of dodged Qassam rockets lobbed from vantage points in Gaza (land ignorantly offered to the Palestine people for peace)... after years of attacks by homicide bombers bent on the destruction of as many Jews as possible... after the kidnapping and murder of young Israeli, Eliyahu Asheri in the West Bank, and the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit... after the threat that Shalit would be "butchered in front of TV cameras" if the Israelis tried to rescue him... after a Qassam rocket finally landed in the parking lot of a school in Ashkelon... Israel has said, "Enough is Enough."

Then Hezbollah militants operating from inside Lebanon opened fire on two Israeli armored vehicles patrolling the border inside Israel. Three soldiers were killed in the attack and two were taken hostage. Hezbollah terrorists armed, funded, and trained by Iran planned these kidnappings months in advance in order to provoke a reaction from Israel. Israel responded by calling up more troops. Prime Minister Ehud Olmet called the act "an unprovoked assault by a sovereign nation" and held Lebanon, where Hezbollah has a minister in the government, fully responsible. The Lebanese army would fight along side of the Hezbollah terrorists, said the Prime Minister of Lebanon.

I do not claim to be an expert on this subject, nor do I believe there is a set age where it is now ok to enter into romance.

As a father of 3 wonderful teens I do see things a lot differently than when I was young. I want to see my teens avoid the pitfalls that only lead to avoidable hurts and disappointments. The world is full of dear people that have crashed in their romantic relationships no matter what age they are. If I could help one young person avoid getting romantically involved too soon and for the wrong reasons it was worth writing this life question.

Know this from Matthew 19:19, "And love your neighbour as yourself." After loving the Lord Jesus Christ, to love yourself to the same degree as your neighbour is essential for a healthy lasting relationship. This means you put value on yourself. You are created in God's image, you were specifically designed (Ephesians 2:10). You are God's poem. Let Him finish you, not the guy or gal you are dating.