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To all, It’s interesting to me where Brian (not Bruce, BTW, to be mathmatically precise…sorry Taz…) comes from (theologically) and what his background is. He has been associated with what is called the “emergent church” movement (if it can be classified that way…don’t ya hate it when people try to pigeon-hole your system?) which is a compliation of people who “mostly agree on is their disillusionment with the organized and institutional church” (wik). Personally, I’m all for that. Further, I’m for actively living my Christianity in the real world (read: compassion, love, mercy, justice, giving, etc.). But I’m also for the mathmatical precision and scientific accuracy of the Scriptures. I do not see this stuff as mutualy exclusive. Really, if you look at it, this is how Jesus lived. He was kind when it was needed, he was “in your face” at other times (usually it was with the hierarch of the “church”, BTW) and yet he was a very “jot and tittle” kinda guy. I think the reaction of most is that somehow there is always wool being pulled over the eyes when someone says this MSS says one thing and this MSS says it better, but the proof is in the pudding. Go find out and then believe or argue. If you don’t want to that’s OK too. Some of this MSS stuff is just too overwhelming, but on the otherhand it is not necessarily someone trying to start another cult. This kind of textual criticism stuff happens every day in institutes of higher learning (theological) and it’s just not that bad or hurtful. I actually like it. If it makes (or made, in the case of TWI) someone less Christ centered, change the way you approach the so called “man of God” in your church and make sure you’ve checked his resources. IMHO, the Bible is clear enough on the issues that are important for salvation and a few other things… Maybe in areas such as the Trinity or the Secret of God there have been some, shall I say, “interesting” ways that the monks monkied with the text, but Biblically we can read that Jesus was born of a woman. Not hard to figure out he was a man and not God. Logic has its place and should never be counted out of the equation when approaching homeletics or (especially) hermeneutics. Re

This story takes some twists and turns as I follow a new path of what I hope is self discovery. It's not without pains and, finally, the release of tears, the acceptance of what is mine and what I can give to others. A lot of admitting that I did the best I could, my husband did his best, our children have much to be proud of and it's going to be alright. Someday. I have to believe that this will eventually prove to be a good thing and I'll see my way out the other end stronger and better. I'm mostly happy and proud to announce a book being written telling the story of how two people wandered into an abusive, manipulative, oppresive religious organization and only one of them made it out and what it cost. And what it still costs today, every day. I've been considering that price recently and it's been mostly brutal and painful as I look at the heart and realize (or admit) that. The support of a few who hang in there no matter how rough the road gets or how many times they have to hear the story has been priceless and there will never be thanks proper. With tears I can only say that it's not been on purpose that I journey that trail, but of necessity, for life, to get to the place of understanding that continued breath is the right thing. God knows I'd rather do something else. My 14 year old, who didn't know I was listening : "It's been almost 13 years daddy" Oh Amazing, Amazing Grace

If you delete the word "thumb" so the last part of the url reads 126692320916.jpg, it should show up like this: