dmiller

My favourite terrorist? --> I don't see the Amazing Sea Monkeys from Mars there. :D--> :D--> :D--> Pig-Force One is next in line, Psalmie.

WordWolf -- am not sure either just how long the song lasts, but that is what Arlo said. I have it on tape, and listened to it just before saying so. I don't want to "mis-quote" here on GS!! :D--> --> :D-->

added note -- nor did I mean to de-rail this thread, by what I thought to share. The trinity has met it's match by those of us who can either accept, or are willing to accept, changes in our lives (and accept "main-stream Christianity") on our terms :)-->

Def -- thanks. I honestly am willing to look at "both sides" of an opinion. The soveriegnity (sp??) of God, and "micro-management" vs. free will is something new to me, and while I have several books on the subject, I am still looking at it, and trying to make a decision. I can see valid reasons on both sides, but as yet, I am not willing to commit to either. I know this is not main-stream thought, and it is taught in "mega-churches", where membership numbers in the thousands, so it is now being "touted" as right, correct, or whatever -- but I have never gone with "numbers", and just because they say so, doesn't mean it is right. What is postulated holds merit, but so does the "traditional" teaching. And as of yet, I'm not sure which way to turn. And as far as "mega-churches" go---- Was listening to the Rich Mullin's CD of "the Jesus record", and noticed on the CD liner notes that there were only 4 folks in attendance at the service held. MY kind of church! Numbers mean nothing to the Lord, when he can get them any time He wants from something as inanimate as stones. So ---- My questions, posts, etc., here are just that. Thank you Def, Evan, etc, for replying. Sure -- I have opinions, but they are still being worked on, and am open to suggestions, criticism, whatever. :)--> There is a little country church right near an artesian well where I go to get water from. It has a graveyard by it (presumably former members), and is just off I-35 South from Duluth -- 15 miles from my house. The cross on top of it (the church) is lit at night, and seems to be a beacon to travelers. Given the graveyard right next to the church, and the free-way right there too, I see folks as "coming and going". It is a small building, and though it is a Lutheran church, I have thought a lot about going there to check out the services. Am not fond of traditional "main-stream" teaching, but you know what? If the numbers in attendance were nothing more than "little old ladies, and a sea of "blue hair", that would be good enough for me. I've come a long way from twi, but I still have questions. I could never ask them there, but--- they might afford me the fellowship that I might have lacked , and looked for. Who knows? Folks are Folks.

I remember him as the "Godfather". What a good actor he was.

Yessssssss!! :)-->

Raf -- did you ever hear the revised version of Alice's Restaurant?? Arlo wrote a whole new segment to it, dealing with his meeting with Jimmy Carter's son, Chip. So he claims. ;)--> In the new addition to Alice's Restaurant, (probably live version/ on-stage only) Arlo tells how he was invited to the inaguaration of Prez Jimmy, and Chip tells him that while moving their things into the White House, they discovered a copy in the Nixon record library, of Alice's Restaraunt. :D--> Then he goes on to say how when Nixon passed away, people remembered him for what he had done, and that included taping things. Arlo describes him (Nixon) as a man ahead of his time for taping things, but notes that it wasn't what he had taped that got attention, it was the gaps in the tapes, like that 18 minute, 20 second gap. Stuff he had erased, cause he didn't want folks to know what he was listening to. Arlo then goes on to say "how many things do you know of that last 18 minutes, and 20 seconds?" etc. -- referring to the length of Alice's Restaurant, and the inferred idea that it was Alice's Restaurant that was erased on that "famous gap"! :D--> He then goes on to say how music, songs, etc., can change history, and that whatever Nixon was up to at that time, was influenced by Alice's Restaurant. So (according to Arlo), if Nixon erased "A's R", he rejected Alice too! (I heard this version live at the Big Top Chatauqua, under the big blue tent in Bayfield, Wisconsin -- and never laughed so hard in my life.) Arlo keeps current, and on top of things! ;)-->

JL -- You're not a horse are you?? Think of what would happen when .....

By the way -- I meant to come in here and say Happy Birthday. --> Happy Birthday Steve! :)--> Have yourself a great one!

I don't think it got "stole" Tom. LittleHawk probably has it "pearfectly preserved" in that water of his! ;)--> :D-->

Boy "ain't that the truth"! --> Now -- I'll get back to the rest of your post! :)-->

And Steven Wright would say --- "Once I saw someone poke a stick at a dead possum. He got up and ran away. He was only playing possum."

That's why I'm thankful for your site, Raf. :)-->

And another good question. This is something I've been looking at recently, Def. Honestly -- I am not sure what I think of this one. Right now the answer is no, and yes to the above.

:)--> Good question! I have to head off to work now. Let me think that one over.

I mis-stated that. Mea Culpa. :(--> The Gospels are indeed an accurate record of what happened, and by considering them to be in the OT doesn't neccesarily mean the same as "tossing them out" as "for our learning only". I agree about the Sermon on the Mount, Evan. If the entire Bible consisted of nothing but that, it would still be worthwhile. And unlike vp, I can, and do pray the Lord's prayer -- it is as good and profitable today as it was then, despite what we were taught in twi. The NT has very little to do with civil law. Why? Because civil law as found in the OT is still valid, and applicable. By considering the Gospels to be OT, I am not trying to be-little them. I consider them to be an integral part of Christianity -- worthy of reading, learning, and following.

Well -- why not? Like S*** -- it happens. --> What goes around, comes around. Wash yer car, and it rains. Shovel snow, and the city puts it all back on your sidewalk. Anything else?? --> :)--> :D--> :D--> :D-->

I love that tune!!! Arlo -- just like his dad. So many words, but not enuf to say what needed to be said! ;)-->

Steve -- personally, I think God invented dispensationalism when he booted Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. Things changed, and He was forced to deal with it. :(--> Reguardless -- I will be looking up the verses you mentioned. Thanks for citing them!! (always willing to check out the "other side") ;)-->

Zix -- I love all your explanations of that which is celestial. They make sense, and you know what you are talking about. You make my point when I say I am humbled that I am privilidged to see them, even if it is an "after-thought" -- so to speak. Am not sure Isreal can be equated with that, but you are right -- they are not the same Isreal now, as they were then. Now they have Uzi's and such. Are they still trusting in the "Arm Of The Lord?"

Yes they were written to a NT audience, but what did they relate?? They showed all sacrifice required completed, all atonement taken care of, "Mission Accomplished" to the world. But what they related, was a completion of things started, and never finished. I never served in Viet-Nam, but let's use that as an example. I was up for the draft, I never got called, and suddenly I hear in the "print", that the war is over. I am dealing with two time periods here. One where I was eligible for the draft, and be ready to be "called to duty", and also with "the war is over". I am the same person, yet I am dealing with two totally different "reports". Just because I happened to be "eligible" to read both "written posts" about the state of the war, which one do I believe? I could go with the previous "posts", and continue to think I was needed over there, or -- I could go with the "new" posts saying I did not have to. Gospels are the same way (imho) -- They tell the story of how something is over, and new times are coming. Though they were written at a time where folks (also) were "in between" time frames, doesn't mean that they have to read them in the "old" context, but rather can accept the new. Same as us. :)-->

Def -- I am in no way "preaching" that Paul is superior to Jesus. Galatians 1:11-12 are what I see as Paul telling all that what he is preaching was revealed to him by Jesus Christ. If he (Paul) is merely "repeating" a message, he is not the more important person, the Giver of the "message" is. In essence, Paul was not "tooting his own horn", and far be it from me to "toot" it for him! :)-->

Sorry I haven't answered sooner. Just saw these posts tonight. So do I Evan. but somehow "administration " (while meaning the same thing, though Wierwillian) connotes more sense to me, thus my usage of it. I don't see the "church" in the OT, like I do Isreal. Wern't the Isrealites considered "family", "chosen" etc., versus a "church"? --> While some folks had "spirit on them", it was greatly different from having "spirit in them" - which is the deciding factor (imho) of the "church" which is now also "family". That is Wierwillian too, but it certainly makes sense given Psalm 51:11. I see God's promises all over the OT -- TO ISREAL -- but nowhere mentioning a church. And --- concerning "dispensationalism" vs. the title of this thread, I don't really see it as a de-rail, because Jesus Christ did what was needed for all of us (mankind), and by doing so, God was able to initiate what is called the "secret" -- vpw"s word for it was "the mystery" -- into being. And it was something new. And it was also something Jesus Christ never knew anything about until it was reavealed to Him. Who gave the gift of holy spirit there in Acts? It was given by Jesus Christ. Delegated to give (and take) powers, favours, etc., just like Joseph was given the same privilidges back when Pharoah made him "ruler" of the land. If Jesus was God, and the trinity intact, He (Jesus) would have known about it, and that prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22 would have meant nothing, (if he were God) "Not my will, but Yours". To whom was he praying? Himself? Hardly. And what was the Will of God? Something not yet revealed that would initiate a new "entity" into the mix of Gentile, and Jew. Jesus did not know of this at that time, but He is the one who distributed the "gift", and made the church possible because of His accomplishments. By doing so, I can only guess that He was proud and pleased to usher in a whole new "era", that was never mentioned or talked about in the OT.

((Dot)) Carry the banner high, and when you come to a "CROSS" road, take it! :)--> I'm glad you aren't leaving the prayer room. Folks there have needs, and you have been VERY GIVING of your time, and prayers to them. Thank you for continuing to do so. There are no Atheists in the "foxholes". God Bless You! :)--> David

OM -- yea. My dad (catholic) decided to marry my mom (protestant) 54 years ago, despite what the "Holy See All/ Know It All", or whoever the H*** they think they are, decreed back in the dark ages. He is still PO'd at the RCC after all these years for denying him the privilidge of devoting his life to the woman he loved. He didn't realize that he also (Bullinger), was in a cult, and they were trying to run his life for him. Nameless -- You said -- (Bold -- my emphasis) If you are strong headed, you are not twi material, unless you aspire to "leadership". Of a truth, I cannot imagine that they would not want you to be "a part of them". My dad has a mind of his own, and refused to let the RCC operate it for him. RCC was held in question , and accountable for many things back in "those days", so he was able to get away with it. I, for one, do not see twi in this light, nor will I ever. They are too small to attract such notice, yet are as deadly as the "little poisionous snake" you come across on an innocent walk in the woods. Perhaps you like this person, and the two of you "click". If so -- fine. If they are committed to twi, consider it a "rattler", coiled, rattles vibrating, and waiting to strike. Get too close, and you will be bitten. And not because of them, but because of what they stand for. The venom twi injects is lethal, but only if you get too close. If your "friend" is inter-twined, with-in the coils of twi, I would be giving it a SERIOUS second thought. The ball is in your court! ;)-->