dmiller

Mr. H --- Toushayyyy!!!

What were the "ends" and what were the "means"? --> The supposed "ends" of twi were to get people living the more than abundant life. The supposed "means" were the classes, corps, wow, etc., etc. The TRUE "ENDS" told a different story entirely; and the TRUE "MEANS" were not found in classes, or in bible teaching -- but rather in (ahem! cough!) undershepharding (to put it *politely*) --> and extortion of folk's resources -- money-wise, time-wise, talent-wise, etc. If you mean "Does the supposed "end" justify the supposed "means" --- I would have to say yes. Some good came out of it, because some never saw the: Flip side of the coin. And that is the TRUE "END", made possible by the TRUE "MEANS", which had nothing to do with the Word or living the abundant life, and did have everything to do with avarice, deceit, and deception -- for personal gain of those calling the shots. When it comes to the *true end and means* -- I'd have to say No.

What days are you looking forward to, that the *rest of us haven't a clue* about? --> --> --> Whatever happens, happens. True. And to be prepared is better than not. I for one, would rather *prepare*, and not need it, rather than otherwise. Like I said -- I buy extra stuff these days, because I can, and not because I have to.

Jen -- I am far from perfect. Having a POV is not making yourself *perfect*, but is making a POV. Just my imho! :)-->

Shaz -- Happy belated!! (The fiddle's in tune - are you ready to dance?) :)--> From Steve Miller (sadly) no relation of mine! :(--> Happy birthday. ;)-->

Ummm -- including that last sentence -- how's about provider and protector! :D--> (polishing up the apologies already, if they are needed.) I want you on MY side!

you mean even back then they taught you to get a generator to keep the sno-cones cold! :D-->

And Raf -- Congrats. Go the distance. You are an inspiration. :)-->

Sudo -- peace! :)--> That is your POV, and a medically sound one, yet -- may I suggest a different POV -- one that I happen to hold, since it affects me directly. What you described about the physical addiction is correct, and serious things can happen to the body when a substance (that used to be there) no longer is. You are right about this when physical addiction is the topic, but the other side of the coin is the psychological addiction, which is what I think is being talked about here as well. Cigs are the *more addicting* (psychologically if you will) because of the constant "hand to mouth" contact. It becomes a habit that one associates with everything they do, all day long. Cup of coffee - gotta have a cigarette. Have a beer -- gotta have a cigarette. Sit at the computer -- smoke while you read the screen. Etc. I said this affects me directly -- since this is the situation I am in. I've smoked for too many years (nigh on 40 years now), and have *quit* (or as GsGeorge says -- paused) many times, but was always drawn back to it because of the psychological aspect of it, rather than the physical. I have had (and do have) no problem with quitting when I want to, but the *mental* image of doing things without a smoke is what is hardest, and that is what draws me back to it. I can not have a beer, if I have *quit* smoking, because the two are so closely related. Having looked at my actions, and desires when those two are involved, I realize that it is the *high* that comes from both of them together. Well -- the *high* from a cigarette only happens with the first one of the day, and after that -- it's all a futile attempt to reproduce what happened with the first one. But that doesn't deter the *addict*, like me, and others in the same boat. Other drugs may leave you on the floor puking your guts out from withdrawal, and cigs certainly don't do that -- but the cigs have the mental control over a person -- and like a skull and cross-bones, it is ever pointing a forefinger, beckoning to the ex-smoker, and quoting "Hotel California" --- You can check out, but you can never leave Hope this made sense. You did. :)--> David

Garth -- March 27th (this year).

Suz --- ya beat me to it. :(--> CCRay sent me that the other day, and I wuz waiting till closer to *easter* to post it. snooze, and ya lose. :D-->

..becomes THE cheeriOs

:)--> :)--> :)--> Here's hoping you have a good one! Shalom Aleichim (I hope I said that right!) :D--> David

Sure we (I) thought that we (I) were correct. We were told so. And if doubt ever entered our minds (my mind), we were specifically told "Hey!! Don't take my word for it --- look it up in the Word!" Well -- some of us did, and maybe that makes us *more right* now, and maybe it doesn't. But we're just (I'm just) following instructions! Forget who said it, but the quote is appropriate: Read It And Weep. Yea -- some good stuff/teaching there, and that was worth hanging onto. But twi overall?? No. Nuff said.

*Yesterday* for me is 20+ years ago. I have had my choice/chance to return to it, and somehow -- the appeal has been lost. --> Return?? No. I'll look for returns in other areas, but NOT a return to that which steals, kills, and destroys. Much more profitable (to me) than putting time and effort into something that *returns you a knife in the back* for hard work, believing, and dedication to what they propound. :)--> ps -- the last *180* I did, was on snow (we get a lot of it up here in Minnesota -- and it usually ends up on the roads, and not just the gas pumps). Believe me -- it was purely unintentional -- and the moment I had complete control of my vehicle -- I reversed that *180*, and continued the way I intended to go.

"O" BroTHEr, where art thou?

"O" -- THE reigns supreme.

And as a side note -- I usually buy more when grocery shopping than I need also, not because I have to, but because I can. Used to be so stinkin poor, I could afford little, and scrambled from pay day to pay day. It is a treat to avail myself (these days) of the *specials* found at the supermarket, and lay them aside for future use -- catastophe or not.

Satori -- while that is always a possibility, I saw a documentary on international shipping and Port Authorities from around the world on a cable show (am thinking it was the Discovery Channel) 2 or 3 months ago, that dealt with this question. The security at these ports is taken very seriously, and each one of those containers has a manifest of what is aboard, and is run through an x-ray system that can see through concrete and steel, to see if what is declared to be on board -- is the only thing there. One example given -- was a cargo that contained XYZ, as well as a load of "collector" cars. The x-ray penetrated the walls of the cargo container (re-enforced steel), and discovered in one of the cars buried under and in the midst of the others, a load of guns in the trunk, not declared. They showed the container going in, and then the contents as viewed by the x-ray, and then how they could zero in on each an every item within that container. The port this took place in was in Amsterdam. I don't worry about these things, but sure, anything could happen. I did feel a little better about steps being taken to prevent *illicit cargo* from slipping through after seeing this documentary though. Ps -- these *shipping containers* really are "freight train size".

Steve! -- man-oh-man, that just sounds too much like something twi would would have a hand in!! :D-->

MD -- welcome to The GreaseSpot. Many here discuss past twi experiences, yet it is usually to the end of looking forward to the future. If you still attend fellowship in twi, that's fine and I (for one) hope you're blessed by it. Many viewpoints are openly brought up here, and even though the past experiences we have encountered are discussed, it is to the end of closure and healing, rather than wallowing in what we were once involved with. Enjoy your stay here. Looking forward to hearing more of your outspoken-ness. :)-->

:)--> . . .

Selah -- Hape4me told me last night in chat that today is the day you move. Good Luck!! Still praying for ya. Drive safe. :)-->