T-Bone

And geez...why oh why - out of ALL the lanes I could have picked way back when - I had to pick the one lane that TWI stuck their little toll booth on?!?!

Dear Mr. Danger P.I. Do take good notes at your pep rally – your message really caught my eye mentioning "shoes for industry" – perhaps there's a tidbit or two of technological tips I could glean from. Several years ago I experimented with time-traveling boots. But alas, they proved to be too clunky for such a precision-demanding endeavor as walking around the space/time continuum. It could wind up being a nasty trip if you don't watch your step. I believe they worked in an erratic sort of way – occasionally one of my socks would come up missing – from the very pair of socks that I wore in the time-traveling boots! I imagine these missing socks are now floating about [fourth dimensionally speaking] in some space/time/hose zone layer. My time-traveling boots were invention number 483. I thought I put that project totally to rest when – hello - one night I was watching a video of Michael Jackson as he did his moonwalk. I marveled at how he seemed to just slide effortlessly backwards – then like a thunderbolt it hit me – sliding backwards - - or forwards in time! The reason some of my socks disappeared – was it something about their molecular structure? My next invention [number 484] pursued that avenue – trying knee highs, crew, athletic and argyle socks. Also experimented with individual-toed socks to afford one greater articulation in controlling the exact second of time targeting. Furthermore, I installed time-flux flooring in my laboratory to facilitate the sliding requirements of the time-traveling socks. Any barriers to the de-time-ification of the sock wearer would begin to collapse as the socks themselves approach the threshold of 299,792,458 meters per second [or a mere 1,079,252,848.8 kilometers per hour] across the time-flux flooring. This invention is held in abeyance due to a mix up by the flooring contractor. I specified an actual hardwood flooring for its timeless beauty – and he installed some cheap laminate. I will resume experimentation after I disassemble my time-flux wiring harnesses from the faux floor and put in the real stuff. Lest you think I forgot – to answer your question "How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?" I shall refer you once again to my time-travel formula. When the velocity and acceleration vectors converge in the appropriate dimensions coinciding with the centripetal force – stuff happens! This centripetal force has the potential to whip the time traveler around in a circular path – going in circles – and with enough speed the time traveler will get nowhere fast! Sincerely, Catheter Bailey

Great topic Skyrider...I think the irony of it all was a real wallop to the ego. Here I was thinking I'm in with the folks that have the most knowledge, spiritual insight and freedom - - only to learn afterward I was taken for a ride!

Yes – I wonder about that "intuition, gut feeling, just knowing" thing myself. One definition of "faith" is a belief of something without evidence or proof…I also think you bring up some interesting thoughts in your post – kind of goes all over the map – the mental map I carry in my head that is – and that's great! I love these kinds of discussions that provoke thinking! I imagine sometimes I must look like a someone who is so lost – I'm turning my mental map upside down, then sideways, then back around, scratching my head, checking the compass…Man oh man, there's so much to consider... When I try to boil it down to why I have chosen my particular path – the best I can come up with is that - - - I chose this path! And I'm comfortable with that responsibility. And to take that even a little bit further…like why do I choose this path [stating it as a more fluid, present tense thing] – I sometimes get into a real analytical mode – and even – dare I say it – try to think about it in the "grand scheme of things"…is that trying to figure out where I am on someone else's mental map LOL …sort of like what you talked about in how you talked to people with different viewpoints. Maybe "analytical" sounds like I know what I'm doing…maybe more like reflective…a response…a feeling…wondering? I think about people I've met who have a different religion or belief system than mine [sometimes I refrain from using labels in my thinking – it's less confining] – yet I see the impetus behind the things they do as similar if not identical to mine…almost like a little voice in my head says "gee, that looks awfully familiar – like the two great commandments "Love God and neighbor," or like this faith discussion… hmmmmm." It's funny you should bring up the many roads thing. It's sort of like that with some people I've met. After awhile I am surprised to find out that even though we're both using different maps – somehow we've bumped into each other on the same road… or at the least some cosmic intersection – LOL .

Dear Mr. Spoilsport, The Chrome Fender Dents and Edible Steering Column are wonderful ideas – but I fear the Edible Steering Column may encounter a problem – I anticipate horrendous temporal confusion over the expiration date of any perishable items. Imagine someone purchasing a jug of milk on October 26 with the stamp "Use by November 1." The person immediately time-travels to November 2 via my illustrious machine. If perchance the time traveler got sick for whatever reason – many investigators would naturally point to the out-of-date milk. With a name like Spoilsport I'm sure you catch my drift. An Edible Steering Column is a dandy idea though – perhaps it would be wise to have the buyer sign a waiver at the time of their purchase. I will contact my uncle Cannula Bailey who is an attorney of sorts – he may be interested in drafting such a document for a nominal fee. I have to be forthright with your other idea of an "air conditioned time machine." Indeed – besides the fact that something like that is utterly preposterous – surely the stuff of science fiction fantasy – there is also the delicate balance of my time travel formula to re-calculate. "Air conditioned" indeed! My machine will draw 786 amps from the electrical outlet for every time-traveling-minute of operation. Any change in one of the variables of my formula could have enormous impact to the exact chronological drama of it all! How much power would your "air conditioning" machine require? Sincerely scientific, Catheter Bailey

I was named after my maternal grandfather Foley Catheter....And there has been talk that Northumberland County Utilities is going to run power to our rural area of town - perhaps in a year or two - so at present where I live is a fairly dark place...Is RumRunner your first or last name - or your only name? Single names are easy to remember - I think that's why a lot of show people do that. I have a cousin that's doing that rock and roll stuff at a lot of pubs - he plays the bass, likes a lot of the Police tunes and goes by the name Stent.

Ain't no way those are real !!!!!!!!!.....But then I went to https://shop.cuffs4cops.com/categoryNavigat...hg?categoryId=3 - - - I'll be doggone - those handcuffs are genuine!

I have to agree with yah on the "cause you wanna be" - for what ever belief system a person chooses. When you say nothing has changed - and give your list of everything except having more time - I agree with you there too - as far as when I left TWI. However, what has changed is obviously your viewpoint. And if I do say so myself - I also find it a little frustrating that God does keep such a low profile . As far as God continuing to shower His blessings on everybody - Jesus did talk about God's love being universal - causing His sun to rise on the bad and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous [Matthew 5:45]...I know...you don't believe the Bible is true - but I was just answering your question how do I explain people like you :) .

…Just thinking out loud here…What if faith and trust are somehow related – in a complementary fashion – each having some influence on the other. So both aspects would contribute to our navigation system [worldview] in this spiritual journey. Just guessing in all this of course but…the faith side being like an internal compass – pointing us in a "spiritual" direction [what you think is really happening or how the world works or what reality is, etc.] and the trust side or our reasonable side is frequently noting landmarks, checking coordinates of where we are, looking for indications that we are going in the right direction. Thinking about Belle's reference of us seeing through a glass darkly – perhaps it's not a blind faith by which we live but more like a cataract faith. Maybe that's why II Corinthians 5:7 says we walk by faith and not by sight. It doesn't pit faith against reason but sight – otherwise I think it would say something like "we walk by faith not by reason." So - - wondering if/how these two things work together – maybe there's a thing that could be called "reasonable faith." I was thinking of Matthew 16:15-17 where Peter answered Jesus' question of who He was. Peter said He was the Christ. Jesus then said, "flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." That would be the faith side of this "knowing" process. Then considering the reasonable side I think of Luke 7:18-23 where John the Baptist while in prison – seems to have some doubts [interesting to think about since he had Holy Spirit since in the womb] – sends his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He is the Messiah or should they expect someone else. Jesus tells John's disciples to tell John of all the miracles He did. This would be evidence to bolster John's trust in Jesus as the Messiah. These two passages sort of being a conglomerate of how this thing called "reasonable faith" works.

Happiest of birthdays to you, Belle! You were one of the first to welcome me to Grease Spot and one of the reasons why I keep coming back. The Café just wouldn't be the same without yah!

Thanks for the picture, Grand Daughter! Glad to hear everyone is doing well. God bless you and your family!

Thanks, Garth ! Love it ! I've got a DVD of Weird Al - love all his stuff!

1Searcher – I'm not sure what I was trying to convey in my post either – LOL . I think I was trying to address your question of how God helps us on a practical daily basis – sorry I guess I didn't do much for that. I'm with you – I've got lots of questions and few if any solid answers. Now I think I've got more of a bead on your concerns from your second post. I think a lot of what's been discussed in Bramble's thread on Faith may be relevant here – about a life of faith being a spiritual journey, God's ways being unfathomable, taking an active role in developing our own viewpoint, rafting…anyway…back to what you said… When you said, "It seems as though Christianity is sold as some sort of panacea, a cure all for anything and everything that ails you" I couldn't agree with you more! I think it cheapens the "real message" of the gospel [which I think only the Holy Spirit knows in terms of how He oversees the Word and however He does it – enables the truth to cut through the bs and go straight to the heart – John 16:7-15 "He will guide you into all truth"; Matthew 16:15-17 "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you"] when anyone hands out their little sales brochure of what Christianity can do for you. I'm as guilty of that as anyone else – but instead of me promoting the wonders of PFAL-power-you-can-have-whatever-you-want like I used to do in the TWI-time of life – I now sometimes lapse into trying to sell my viewpoint. But that really sabotages what I think is part of my purpose as a Christian – which is to present the gospel and encourage the listener to THINK – not to absorb my viewpoint but to figure out their own. You're not alone in what you feel. I think we all have so many mysteries and cosmic sore spots in our heads – but people are pretty good at putting up a nice "I've-got-it-all-together front." I like what Invisible Dan said about being concerned for how he treats his fellowman – customer service – yes, that's the ticket!

In my opinion God has built so much into His creation…and maybe we take for granted…and perhaps don't acknowledge it as something from Him. Thinking of the great technical and medical advances of man – I marvel at what the mind of man can achieve. I'm so thankful to God I can still get up in the morning and use my mind and body to work at a job – Ecclesiastes 5:19 talks about God empowering man to reap the rewards of his labor – that it is a gift of God. Deuteronomy 8:18 is another verse that suggests God has put great potential in man, "But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." I get this idea from passages that refer to the animal kingdom as well. Psalm 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them… I imagine lions know how to hunt and are quite capable of catching their prey. I watch the birds come to the feeders in my backyard and eat the seed that I have placed there – sparrows, dove, and cardinals have discovered this routine – they have to remember where it is and expend energy to fly to them. Occasionally a Cooper's Hawk comes by – she likes to hunt other birds – there's a picture of her in My Gallery. To the naked eye these creatures appear to be endowed with fitting capabilities and resourcefulness. My Christian faith sees wondrous creations with complex - innate qualities from the imagination of my Heavenly Father. So, to get back to your questions – and where am I going with this – ooops – I don't know…It's funny – I've been thinking about these verses and this idea all day – thought about starting a new thread in doctrinal – but couldn't nail it down – oh that's scary – maybe I was thinking about this for this thread – LOL . I think in my old TWI days I had perhaps a lazy man's way of doing things – didn't think too much – just expected God to give me revelation on something if I needed it. Well…after leaving TWI – I realized I'm supposed to WORK for a living…Okay – you talked about practical – well I'll go back to Matthew 6:25-34 – Jesus was addressing something very practical – how we tend to center our lives around food and clothing. Not there's anything wrong with food or clothing but it can get us in trouble by our incessant worrying. Jesus kind of pointed out how worry denies God's love, power and wisdom in this section. And I don't see in this passage anything about the "law of believing" or working on my believing or getting my runways uncluttered. I think all that stuff is really worry in disguise - it sounds really spiritual but it's still trying to take the place of the work our Heavenly Father does. Jesus' practical advice in Matthew 6:33,34 is seek FIRST God's kingdom and righteousness, and quit worrying about tomorrow.

To whom it may concern at the U.S. Patent Office: I apologize for any awkwardness on my part in this letter to you – this is the first time I have need of a technical opportunity that is peculiar to the United States. I am in the final stages of developing a time machine that is powered by ordinary household current. My laboratory is in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England and as you probably know the United Kingdom is notorious for voltage variations – this does present a problem to such a precise piece of equipment as a time machine. Your standardized national power grids are truly a wonder and makes you Yanks a super-power in my book! Radioactive material is dreadfully nasty stuff to work with – and nowadays draws a lot of suspicion when ordering from a catalog. The time has come for a time machine run by a simple electrical outlet. Enclosed with my letter is a drawing of my 110-volt time machine and time travel formula. I would like to apply for a patent on my temporally dynamic design as well as the time travel formula itself and would appreciate your office forwarding me any of the necessary forms. Sincerely, Catheter Bailey

That's funny, Krysilis - I was getting ready to post another phrase "I really got delivered in that meeting" - when I read your post - and thought I'd incorporate it to read "I really got my clock cleaned in that meeting."

On behalf of The Bass Players who wish that they stuck with it Society, I wish you the happiest of birthdays, Chas - you're an inspiration to all of us.

Have the Coolest Birthday, CoolWaters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the reason loaded words of any group are amazingly effective yet elusive as to pin down why that is so – may be due to how lightning-fast our processors are! Just thinking out loud here -when someone in a group speaks a certain word or phrase the listener's brain summons key definitions assimilated from the group as well as experiences which the listener has categorized as examples, or mind pictures – maybe not all of this stuff happening each time – but translating the message becomes quick and easy over time. And we're not even aware of it. Think about when you first learned to drive – it took such thought…effort…concentration. Now you can drive down the road, negotiate through traffic while arguing with someone over the war in Iraq. We're not aware of how much our lightning-fast processors are multi-tasking. Can you remember when you first got into TWI – you would sometimes wonder what someone was talking about. Or how it seemed so odd the way they would speak about certain things – and you were afraid to say something because you didn't think it would come out right. Then after awhile – it's second nature to you – why you're speaking the wonderful words of TWI. Why you even get all hep – so to speak – all shook.

I like that - thanks, Sirguessalot ! Is that from you? If so - surely thou wast knighted with some kind of poetically endowed sword by the hand of Muse – LOL - but seriously - that's pretty kool!

Not sure on exact dates but I think the Book of Proverbs was completed around the 3rd Century BC and airports and runways are products of early 20th Century AD technology…

Yes, excellent point, Dancing! I also see that Hebrews 11 seems to be stressing the obedience of the people listed. And it is in obedience to God – not some imagined "law of believing" – as indicated by verse 6 that you quoted "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." The way I understand it – our faith is to please God – not ourselves. ….Interesting to think about in Hebrews 11:39, 40 "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." ...If I put on my PFAL-glasses and have the scanners set for law-of-believing-mode I keep getting an error message "Doctrinal anomaly – PFAL-glasses have encountered a verse that does not fit the Sorcerer's Apprentice Rule Book – and will not refer to this verse in the future." These people had faith – yet DID NOT RECEIVE. Perhaps because people are not the ones calling the shots – I think God is – "God had planned something better." A journey of faith can be a little scary like Belle was saying with the rafting analogy. But the journey – the journey – yes I said the journey – is actually fun! I left TWI because it was like realizing I had my raft tied to the dock – and chanting over and over again "wow – I'm master of this river - look at me go – nothing stops me – I'm not afraid of anything!"

Renewed mind recklessness

What a great post and thought-provoking thread – thanks, Bramble! I like the way you put things. I think we're all on a spiritual journey here on earth – and for each of us it's all happening on the inside – yes a personal, subjective experience. And as such – we all experience…perceive…interpret reality differently…I don't care to argue over belief systems – and I don't think that was in your purpose in starting this thread. Maybe this is a discussion on how people navigate their spiritual journey. One of my favorite books is 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey – in it he says something like the closer our mental maps are to reality the more valuable or useful they become. The longer I live the more I realize how little I know. I'm glad we all don't think alike – and hence the value of other viewpoints. I said to you on another thread how sometimes my concept of something has expanded or changed from an idea expressed by someone of a completely different belief system than mine. I think Abigail made a big point in saying how she took an active, conscious role in acknowledging her existing belief system and developing it further. That's sort of how I operate….a know-where-I-am-now-and-have-some-idea-where-I-want-to-go type of thing. Belle talking about people who think they have all the RIGHT answers - reminded me of how I used to think in my TWI days – gosh what intellectual suicide – okay maybe that's too harsh – how about intellectual straightjacket [hmmmm that is what they use for crazy people]. So glad I escaped that loony farm!

….And now a brief intermission… While everyone else has gone out to the concession stand for some snacks – you can play Guess-what-the-heck-are-those-WOW blobs-anyway. If you’re right – you could win an all-expenses-paid [by you] trip to the city of our choice with three other total strangers. And if you expect to mooch some popcorn off your friends when they get back from the concession stand – you really are the type of person we’re looking for! Are you ready?!?! Okay, here goes – the possibilities are but not limited to: 1. Sack of Sugar: WOWs sure are sweet but tend to promote truth decay. 2. Prophylactic: WOWs do have divine protection. Gives new meaning to the familiar phrase “Ladies and Gentleman, here come our W.O.W.s!” 3. Thumb: Sure, WOWs are a bunch of spiritual hitchhikers – how else do you think they get around town? 4. Eraser: Good for clearing out bad things in your head – like thinking. “Behold the lame of God that taketh away the brains of the world.” 5. Hooded Klan member: They’re coming to your area to dispel the darkness! 6. Paper Bag over the Head: a.k.a. the Unknown Evangelist. 7. 4 Sheets to the Wind: WOWs are told to do some ridiculous things - outsiders often think they’re drunk. 8. Upside Down Grocery Bag: WOWs are resourceful at shaking out every precious morsel from their meager food budget. Paper Bag is also a good base for soup. 9. Lump of Coal: That’s all they can afford to give at Christmas – due to their believing being bad. 10. Holy Ghost People: They do speak in tongues and snakes don’t seem to bother them.