dmiller

Hmmm. Got to thinking (yea -- dangerous I know --- given MY mental abilities), but: After reading through this here, I figure there are some folks in twi who might deserve money. Those in rez and those on the field, because they sure as H*** aren't being supported by hdqtrs. I mind the time (back 30 odd years ago) I gave support to corps folks who needed it, and didn't feel bad about it at all. Don't even feel bad about it today. I gave to those who were in need, and they appreciated every dollar they got, to do what they were committed to do. I was honoring their committment and what little I had at the time I gave as I could. I've given to WOW's before too, who were (COUGH!!) not believing properly, and down on their luck. (Woops!!! Can I say *luck* in this context???) :o I got into *trouble* for that with "leaders" cause I (when asked) said that was abundant sharing. Was told point blank that it was NOT abundant sharing. ABS had to go to hdqtrs. They got in my face, and I got in theirs. I was GIVING (and that -- to the *believers*). Short of the long of it is --- I used to (back then) work at a place that collected for United Way. They prided themselves that EVERY employee gave to the United Way, until I came along. I wouldn't (and never did) donate to the annual drive for the United Way, cause they weren't the *best*. I saved my dollars for those of the *family* in need. I had it out with my employer the same way I had it out with the tc, bl, etc. Nowdays I give my money to those in town who truely need it (if I have it to spare), with NO THOUGHT of tithing or reaping *eternal rewards* by doing so. Maybe it's a missiion for the homeless. Maybe it's a *bum* on the street. Might be the local soup kitchen. Maybe it's a church somewhere that is doing something I agree with. Maybe it's a friend in need with NO religious inclinations. Who cares??? They have a need, and if I can help, I will. And if I was in twi today --- you bet your @$$ ---- I'd claim it as ABS. Nother words -- some folks deserve being helped. Orgs like twi don't.

Here's some of it Waysider, there's probably more but (let me look) ---- >>> Error 20 In Christians Should Be Prosperous: Wierwille writes that throughout the Bible, material prosperity has always hinged on tithing. In truth: The falsity of this statement is too simple for words. Abraham had material prosperity before he tithed. Jacob had material prosperity before he tithed. The Egyptians probably did not tithe, and had great wealth. There’s no reason to believe Job ever tithed at any time ever, yet he prospered greatly prior to his calamity, and he prospered greatly afterward. There are people who do not tithe, yet prosper. There are people who tithe, yet do not prosper. Tithing is clearly not the hinge for prosperity. (end quote)

Which end first??? :blink: :blink:

No one's guessing. Do I need to give a hint here?? The first two words of the song are --- My grandpa.

This should be an easy enough one, done by a famous rock band. I've been working all week in the noon day sun. The wood's in the kitchen and the cow's in the barn.

Forever and Ever, Amen. Randy Travis

The Family that Zanshin's together, funcsheen's together!" :P What a good looking crew you have there! Congrats to Stephen!! Dedicated kids seem to be rare (these days). Good for him for sticking with it! Looks like we'll have 6 more *congrats* to send in a few more years, eh?? ;)

Shucks. And I had picked out for you. Snooze, you lose I guess! :( Ya beat me to it! :P

Only the Mod squad here can delete posts. Give them a call/ email, eh?

Illya Kurakin --- A.K.A (in real life) David McCallum. ;)

Where's Indiana Jones, when ya REALLY need him?? He's good at finding things like this! ;)

I fixed it for you.

Now I see --- Yea --- it was an actual fishing lodge they went to. Sorry --- we have over 15,000 lakes here in Minney-soda (unlike the 10,000 mentioned on our license plates), an I honestly don't remember which one they were going to, however it was used as a *retreat* of sorts for them to go to, fish, get away from it all, discuss stuff, yada, yada, yada. There were no twi women in the area --- so that premise is out. Maybe Geo will remember where it was they went to. As the bus drove away (from that meeting in Cloquet) --- Whoever was driving, honked the horn a couple of times. Craig's voice came out loud and clear on the P.A. setup they had on the bus. The last words I ever heard him speak were: "Geez!!!! Listen to that! I think this thing has Gas, or something!" They drove off into the sunset, never to be seen again.

Yup --- that about sums it up, waysider. There's a lake somewhere in northern Minney-soda that he used to go fishing at. If I recollect correct -- it was an annual thing --- (someone correct me if I'm wrong); but that's the impression I got from things I've read and heard. Never did hear that he was stopping anywhere in the state to meet with *the faithful*. Guess he wanted to be a fisher of fish, and not men. Oh well. Leave that to his minion's, eh? There were only TWO visits by *VIP's* in the 30 years I've lived here in Duluth. The first one was Joyful Noise coming to town (October - 1978) to do a concert. They stuck around for a day or two and hung out with all of us who were here then. What a treat. There was a couple here (Gene and Debb!e Ne$god@) who had an old church they'd bought to live in. They lived in the basement part of the church (kitchen, extra rooms, etc., with their two daughters. Their dream was to turn the upstairs santuary area into a coffeehouse for performances.. They named it the Uncle Harry Coffeehouse. And a coffeehouse it became. And Joyful Noise was the first group to ever perform there. Matter of fact --- they pulled up in their tour bus as we were all busy helping put down the carpet. All the neighbors (seeing that big Greyhound parked on the street): came over to see what was going on. :) After saying Hi and all that good stuff --- We asked if they could lend a hand! Some grumbling (mostly from Ritchie DiBartolo -- who later recanted and apologized), but they all pitched in and helped get their concert area ready. Claudette did more work than any of the others. They were all there to play some music, spend time with the *family*, and certainly didn't expect to be *put to work* (at least in this fashion!!). But when they were asked --- it wasn't a big deal or anything. They saw their actions (I'm guessing) as an extention of love and solidarity with fellow believers. Now --- let me contrast that with VIP visit number two. Visit number two (sorry -- I don't remember the year), was in Cloquet Mn. (Cloquet is pronounced --- Klo - kay), and lcm and entourage were passing through, on their way to that same fishing lodge somewhere further north from here. It was him, Mrs. Wierwille, Don, Howard and who knows all else. Those folks I remember being there. This was right around 1987, or 1988. Perhaps even a might earlier -- not sure. The reason I can get close to the year that this happened is because Chr!s Gr@nlich was the area coordinator at the time. He was notified that the BOD werre coming through, and he rented a pavillion in Cloquet (on their route -- out of our way for travel) for a meet and greet. I don't even recall how many folks showed up, but it was a pathetic performance by the BOD. lcm tried to do a *teaching*, made fun of Chr!s' attempts to get things *spiritually right*, and (imo) made it plain that he would rather be on the road, than at that meeting. Don't get me wrong -- I have NO love for Chr!s Gr@nl!ch, but to his credit -- he tried to do *things up right* for that meeting --- and got shot down in the process. So much for *Love* from headquarters, eh?? Perhaps George Aar can weigh in on this. I think he was there too.

Sincerity is NO guarantee for Truth. I heard someone say that ------- long ago ------ in a *class* ------ somewhere.

:)

Contact Galen (on this site). He has the class (from what I understand), and runs it on his own. Whether or not he will give you copies is another matter entirely.

In every generation there are those of an officious spirit who aspire to leadership, demanding deference from their fellows. Such men, especially when they are endowed with natural gifts above the average, are the kind who become the founders of new sects and parties, and insist upon unqualified subjection from their followers. Their interpretation of the Scriptures must not be challenged, their dicta are final. They must be owned as “rabbis” and submitted to as “fathers”. Everyone must believe precisely what they teach, and order all details of his life by the rules of conduct which they prescribe, or else be branded as a heretic and denounced as a gratifier of the lusts of the flesh. There have been, and still are, many such self-elevated little popes in Christendom, who deem themselves to be entitled to implicit credence and obedience, whose decisions must be accepted without question. They are nothing but an arrogant usurper, for Christ alone is the Rabbi or Master of Christians; and since all of His disciples are “brethren” they possess equal rights and privileges. No man is to be heeded in spiritual matters any further than he can produce a plain and decisive “thus saith the Lord” as the foundation of his appeal. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11). Rather than conform to the rules of the Pharisees, Christ was willing to be regarded as a Sabbath-breaker! Paul’s work was to instruct and persuade, not to lord it over his converts and compel their belief. The elders are divinely forbidden to abuse their position and to assume any absolute authority or rule imperiously over the saints. They are not to act arbitrarily or in a domineering spirit, nor engage in any conversation that is not seasoned with grace, but instead to speak only the truth in love for the edification of the flock allotted to their charge. The Lord will not long tolerate a tyrannical spirit in His pulpit, nor any who are arrogant, rumormongers, or dictators to the consciences of His children, violating their precious spiritual liberties. —A.W. Pink, from chapter 11 of Practical Christianity [/i] It's easier to read now. ;)

I've posted this joke before, but I don't remember if it was here or on another site. Apologies if it was here. Anyway ---- here it is again (with modifications). A 75 year old man won the Wisconsin lottery, and he decided to get a new car. He had always wanted a corvette, and now he could afford it so that's what he bought. Paid cash for it and took it out on the highway for a drive. Speed limit in Wisconsin (on the inter-state highways) is 65 MPH. He hit that easily, and decided to go faster. 75 MPH and the car responded. 80 MPH, then 85 MPH. That's when he noticed the flashing lights of the Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper behind him. He panicked and punched the gas pedal to the floor. In no time flat --- he was doing 120 MPH with the cop still behind him. Suddenly he thought --- "What the heck am I doing!!?? I shouldn't be running from the law!" So he pulled over to the side of the highway there. The state trooper pulled up behind him, and got out of his patrol car, and walked forward to the elderly gentleman in the corvette, ticket book in hand. The trooper took one look at the driver and said: "Sir. I pulled you over for speeding. It's 4:45 PM on a Friday evening, and I'm supposed to be off the clock in 15 minutes. Now --- if you can give me an excuse that I haven't heard before as to why you were speeding, you're off the hook, and I won't have any paperwork to fill out. The elderly gentleman looked at the trooper and said --- "My wife left me a year ago, and ran off with a Wisconsin state trooper. I'm sure she saw my name as the lottery winner. When I saw you behind me with lights flashing, I was sure you were bringing her back. So I ran!" The trooper closed his ticket book, chuckled and said "Have a nice weekend!"

Amen.

I'm sorry to hear you say that, Dooj. How long has the constitution been in force?? (Since you are an *expert*, about it.)??

Shucks --- I just got back to this thread here, and I've gotta say I'm disappointed in some of the responses given. This is being compared to racial equality??? Give me a F***** break. B as in B, and S as in S. That's just so much Bullsh!t. Racial equality has NOTHING to do with this issue. And while I am at it --- I don't care if it is a round table, triangular table, square table, or lopsiided table that folks sit at to discuss this crap with so many *good-feely" emotions, that they actually forget to check reality, and engage in *fluff* conversation instead. Where did y'all NOT read what I stated??? 4 JUDGES decided that their opinion counted over the populace. And Hap --- You made a couple of good points, but the rest falls flat.

My Humble Opinion???? John Shoenheit is probably one of the best when it comes to teaching the Old Testament. His heart is (imo) right on, and he loves God, trying to do what he thinks is best. His teachings ---- on pretty much any much OT history topics can't be be beat. Regardless of that (These days) he's locked into the CES mentality. The wonderful things he knows, and could share, are shrouded by CES. Ya know --- I could be wrong, and I hope I am. But I don't think so. For what it's worth ---- I supported CES in their infancy to just a few months ago. CES is twi all over again. Took me a while to realize that, but I finally did. If John S. gets out of it --- He might offer a REAL contribution to the rest of us. The knowledge that he has is worth tapping into.

Gen 9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. Gen 9:12 And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: Gen 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Gen 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: Gen 9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. Gen 9:16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. Gen 9:17 And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The *gays* have even taken a sign of HOPE, and denigrated it. Entitlement is everthing (these days), I guess. Ya can't even say gay without someone taking it in a sexual context. I DO NOT like what they stand for, and are trying to do. Whether or not they chose that lifestyle, were born with it, or whatever ---- DON'T FORCE THAT CRAP DOWN OTHER'S THROATS. Plain and simple --- California folks said NO, and now 4 jerks in judicial robes sitting behind a bench in a court of law tell them they have to think otherwise. Regardless how you feel on this subject -- the people have spoken and their feelings are being brushed aside like so many gnats at a picnic in the park. Flame me all you want for stating my feelings. I'm a big guy with thick skin. I can take it.