dmiller

Today is the day. :)--> :)--> I'm guessing those *other three* you want to be there, are kicking themselves for missing the occasion. Congratulations on your graduation. :)--> We are there with you in spirit, even if we are not there in physical prescence. (I'm thinking you'll have a *full house*, of those that think very highly of you.) David

Black pepper and grinders was something I used to do also. Nowdays -- I usually stick with cayenne pepper. Potent stuff! (but good for seasoning). ;)--> I get both the sea salt, and cayenne at the WHOLE FOODS COOP about 5 blocks from my house. If anyone in town has kosher salt, it will be them.

Groucho --- I have been smoking for close to 40 years now. Have quit from time to time, but always went back to it -- and I hear ya about the food versus smokes thing. :(--> I have known I need to quit for good for a while now, and this here offers me the *excuse* I have looked for. You are welcome to join Karmic, Raf, and myself. I don't know about the others, but the older I get, the less I function if I continue to smoke, and I know I am bringing it on myself. You can be the ex-smoker you know yourself to be! David "IT'S THE CIGARETTE THAT SMOKES. WE ARE JUST THE *SUCKERS*"

My goals have never been oriented at getting crowns. They have been oriented to doing good to others in need -- in other words -- practicing what I *preach*. I have never been in it for *eternal avarice*. And while that thought never crosses my mind when I try to help someone out (regardless of how it may be), I do recognize the fact that God will honor my efforts, to do as He wishes. Recognizing something promised, versus using that as a goal, are two different things. And CW --- I have NEVER heard that theory of receiving rewards, so that we can give them back as gifts!! (That's a new one to me). --> David

I have always believed this. And btw -- twi is not the only *outfit* running around out there, promoting such. I've run across several groups who teach that salvation is totally by grace, yet the works come into play in order to receive rewards, and hearing "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".

I have no problem with either talking to, or praying to Jesus. :)--> Certainly twi gave me a different *road map* to follow, as concerns this subject -- but once again - the *direction* they offered led the wrong "way". :(--> I guess they (twi) forgot Hebrews 7:25, that says Jesus Christ (as our High Priest) lives forever to make intercession for us. Well -- how can He intercede for us, if we don't tell Him our wishes? :D--> I find it really hard to believe that God would get ticked off at anyone for praying to the man He exalted to His own right hand, and set above all powers that be. God put Jesus in that position, because as the second Adam -- he (Jesus) proved he was compliant with God's wishes. And as the second *Morning Star* -- Jesus also proved He was not in opposition to God, the way the adversary was/is. If Jesus is the mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5), then it follows that he has to be talked to (at least) and prayed to (entreated) at other times, for Him to mediate. Makes sense to me (these days) -- but it surely did not back in twi. David

Some of the folks I used to work with (developementlly disabled) were cutters, and the reasons varied as to why they would do it. For some it was something they wanted to try out of curioustiy; For some it was because they felt worthless, and felt they *deserved* the pain; And for others it is a method of *revenge* against someone in their life (the you did XYZ to me, now I'm going to get you back by doing this to myself, mentality). I have met parents who have (*normal*) teen-agers that are involved in cutting, and that's generally because they feel abandoned by friends, family, and life in general, and this provides an *out* for them. Whatever the reason -- it is usually not a prank, but rather due to some deeper psychological issues, that end up in SIB (self injurious behavior). I haven't looked at all the sites Belle provided yet, but THE FIRST ONE LISTED seemed to have a lot of good info on it, from what I saw. I'll see if I can find more for you. David

I generally get sea salt, and it tastes a bit better than Mortons, etc. Never heard of kosher salt before. I'll look for it and give it a try. (I'm one of them that uses salt a lot, too.)

This is the best, and the most concise, accurate evaluation (and/or) commentary of docvic that I have ever heard. Thank you, Danny. :)--> David

I'll look for it tomorrow. (I trust you!) :)--> David

:)--> :)--> Hey -- kids are kids. Usually those kids grow up to see things *in a different light* as they get older, but to expect them to do so while they are kids??? Naw! With the hormones they had running in their veins, they probably could have sold testosterone to a bull moose! :D--> :D--> David

Belle -- You Matchmaker, You!! :D--> :D--> :D--> :D--> David

Don't know if I can offer much (if any) advice here. I was married in 1975 - that lasted 10 years until 1985, and I've been single ever since. I had a few dates here and there, had a couple serious relationships where marriage was discussed, but inevitably it got dismissed (by both of us) as *unworkable*. At first I needed to seek out those women that had *like thoughts* when it came to religion, spirituality, etc. -- but as time passed -- that became less important when I started realizing that not all thought like I did, and didn't come from the cult *experience* like I did. Certainly, everyone has their own *core beliefs* that they are not willing to give up or budge from -- and after a while -- I was able to distinguish what my *core beliefs* were, as opposed to what I could (or would) accept as *acceptable* in a partner for life. I failed in marriage once, and was not (am not) willing to repeat that experience. I (like you) have met some folks that I thought to be *marriage material*, but after a closer look at the situation (I guess "caution" is the key-word here), either she, or I, or both of us decided against it. Lots of good advice offered here already. Heeding it would be to your advantage. :)--> Seems like you already know not to get involved with an addict of any sort (be it religion, or drugs, or alcohol), because they will think of that entity first, and not you. Caution is cool. What seems good at first, may not be. And what may not look good at first, could be the best thing that ever happened. Good luck in your love life. You sound like you know what you want, and what it is right for you. :)--> David

Pardon the de-rail, but Galen -- you said: How do you get a 4 year enlistment out of 17 1/2 to 20 1/2?? Kinda reminds me of the situation "How do you get 3 days and 3 nights, from Friday evening to Sunday morning?" type of thing. --> David

WAY TO GO, KARMIC!!!!! :D--> :D-->

No coughing on this end, but I can breathe in deeper now without coughing. :)--> My ashtrays are washed and in the basement (I should just throw them out). What smells here are the walls, furniture, etc. :(--> I started washing one wall in the kitchen (which was a brownish color), and lo and behold -- underneath the brown it was white!! I didn't finish washing it yet, and am tempted to leave it half-way done --- as a reminder to myself that my lungs probably look worse than that. Krys -- what is FeBreese?? Is that an aromatic cleaner? I could use some - I'm thinking. David

What a *loving, kind, and considerate* outfit we got sucked into, eh?? Am wondering how they would have treated Rahab the harlot and her family, had they been in Joshua's shoes, hmmm??? David

Btw --- Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!! David

I hear that, especially that last statement. Seems to me, *leadership* treated women like door mats, and in their eyes -- were nothing more than second class citizens. David

Geez Rascal -- guess that the "mog" had *heavy revvy*, while your local leadership did not. Or maybe it was the other way around -- eh?? This is starting to sound like a "form letter" (that probably had a rubber-stamp signature on the bottom of it), sent out to all who thought better of committing themselves to slavery twi style. David

Hmppph -- and this from a *ministry* that used to purport and teach "I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly". Somewhere on the *road of life*, they took a wrong turn. With threats like this -- they seem to be on the fast-track to the *smoking section* of eternity. David

My, my, my --- tales from the past, and all the way from 1977 even. Any of you innies listening to this?? I was *in* back then, and thought them to be the *good old days*. Guess they weren't so good after all (for some folks). --> Shoot -- I wish my memory was better, cause if it was -- I'd remember who it was that said: THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME. Surely describes twi to a *T*. David

3 more days.

Karmicdebt -- Congratulations!!! Meant to tell you that earlier, but spaced it out. --> You're a month ahead of Raf and I. Good going! :D--> :D--> David

Ps. --- Steve! Where did this *bottle of fine scotch* deal come from?? --> I see you mentioned it higher up on the page, but (imo) both of us are *winners* by trying to quit. No need for incentive on my part, other than helping Raf by joining him in his effort, which helps me as well. :)--> David