Twinky

These are the choices: Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Or this: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. I didn't see too much of the second sort, not from VPW or LCM. Can't speak for Rosie. Plenty of discussion about this elsewhere.

Sure does, Purple Days. Went for a recce today. Find out where the bike racks are (for parking my bike) and to have a look at the SU, where I'll be working. What can I say....it was delightfully warm in there. Luxury. I fell off my bike (slipped on ice, black ice with a thin sheen of melt, invisible), smacked all my side and my head rather nastily (thank goodness for cycle helmets). I think I will be driving to work for the time being. Wouldn't be a good look, turning up on the first day with a head bandage, a crutch and a broken arm, LOL. Soooo - big day tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Actually I rather like that bright sweater.

Think you're right to be wary, Linda. China milk additives

Not at all, Roy. Laughing at life. Enjoying life. But not laughing at you. And taking it out on your innocuous thread by a deliberate derail. Okay, back to the regularly scheduled topic... My sister is a teacher...of kids. She doesn't drink whisky.

Trefor, You mean Vic the grandson? JP's boy? The reincarnation of VPW, complete with scam program and all?

Hey, Trefor, a blended whisky is better than no whisky. We could discuss what it's a blend of, what went into it, and so on. The consistency of flavour. Of colour. We could even discuss other whiskies. Or why we like whisky. Why we don't like (if such is the case) Teachers. Hmm. A nice warming whisky. I think a tramp through the snow to the local tiny country pub, complete with its lovely log fire, is a definite possibility for tonight.

100%, that woman is desperate for information. Sad. Probably has no real friends. Good for you for keeping that door to your own life and your daughter's, firmly closed. I wish you both well, and that your daughter will realize in this carefully controlled environment some lessons that'll set her up well in adult life.

It's a winter wonderland out here at the moment. Lots and lots of snow. Unseasonable. No log cabins in sight. I enjoyed a long and lovely walk on the frozen riverbank today. Glad to get inside at the end of it, though.

Drat, and I thought this was a discussion of this:

Dunno, Waysider. Wanto to try it? Right now they'll probably take anyone who isn't scared of driving in the snow. I was really impressed by the ability of the drivers last winter - driving conditions at times were terrible. It would have been a considerable change of "career" direction, to be a bus driver...but it isn't going to happen, now. I will have a nice warm office job with regular hours, no split shifts and no risk of violence. I WILL HAVE A JOB !!!!!!!!! Gainfully employed again, at last.

Hey there Trefor. Wondered where you'd got to. We probably have a few acquaintances in common. It wasn't Br3ndy you gave your Companion to, was it? There's still a bunch of ex-Wayfers in and around Bristol, not Br3ndy though.

Would you believe it!!!!!!!!!!! It's been 2 years and 8 months since my last paid employment. Now, in ONE WEEK - heh heh - I've been offered TWO jobs, both of which are interesting and worthwhile. One is the one mentioned above. The other is p/t but about the same money - slightly less, job has less security but much more what I like doing. I also had 2 other interviews coming up, one of which would have given me a job. The local bus company is so desperate that it'll take anybody that's not an ax murderer as a (trainee) bus driver. A dearth of offers, then suddenly two. Can't do both...but is this the windows of heaven opening up or something? :biglaugh:

If folks concentrated more on what they have in common, than in what they perceive as differences, hey, Christians might be better thought of. But ,,, every one hath a psalm... a doctrine...a denomination. It's ego, and failure to recognize who the Lord Jesus Christ is. I volunteer with a group of Christians in my city. There are nearly 30 different churches all sending volunteers on this task. We're from all sorts of backgrounds - Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, at least two different home churches, and some have history before that with Plymouth Brethren, RCs, and ... even me, from TWI. And we all get on, and respect each other's differences. Because the desire to serve and carry God's message of care and compassion overcomes all and any differences. And it's making a real impact in our city. If people want to cut themselves off, let 'em. If they want to prune themselves off the true vine...

Yeah. We all wasted time, precious and valuable time. Ruined a lot of good things. BUT >>> Live well. It is the greatest revenge. (The Talmud) (feels good, too!)

You're awesome, Dot. And no - it's not always simple. And there are "layers" of "others" to take into account. Celebrate recovery...sounds great.

Hey there FreeFall. This is the place to explore where you're really at and develop some new ideas. Let yourself get mellow. You're among friends here, well, most of us will be friends. Hard for you with family still in. Especially if you were born and raised in the Way. Sounds like you didn't have any life outside it. It's OKAY for you to explore new things. We are supposed to be in the world. We're just not "of" it as regards the basis of what we think and what we do. If a person can't relate to people in this world, however could that person help others through their problems? Life is to be lived and enjoyed, not hidden away from. But before you go out into the world, enjoy this nice snug Cafe (it's cold outside) and have a drink. or two or even three (there's no two-drink limit here) .

Thanks, Bowtwi. I always look out for your posts, too. Your outreach thing sounds great! Just the thing. Sad in a way - that people who have been hurt by the church are so prevalent. But excellent that they still want to hang out. You'll do so well, helping them. Helping them see that their church that hurt them, and God, are not at all the same. You may end up sharing your story a lot. And it's nice that you can offer people churches to suit where they're at now. There are so many different ways to enjoy "church" and to stick to one rigid style simply keeps God crammed in a box and prevents him, or perhaps his people, being enjoyed in every variety. The church I go to has a surprising number of people in it who have been hurt elsewhere, or come from bitter church splits. The vicar has always been very careful how he says things. It's been healing for me. I like my church but lately it hasn't seemed to meet my needs, or where I'm at. I've started to go to an evening service at a different location. Such a different feel. Yet it's just what I need at the moment. And it's okay to do that!

Thank you both. Don't know whether to laugh or cry or what I feel. Like when you've done a long task at work that seems never to come to an end...and then it does. Or when you've run a race or finished a long strenuous walk...and suddenly it's done. And you wonder what all the huff was about. At least I don't have to bang my head against the wall any more or soak my couch with tears of frustration. There might be a bit of this, this weekend: I have a bottle of very nice red wine to celebrate the occasion. Been there a couple of years waiting for this.

I reckon any half-way thoughtful cig company would be into alternatives, knowing that there's now a lot of public pressure against smokers. Dunno what it's like in the USA, but you can't smoke in the UK in your place of work (even if that's only a work vehicle that only you use), not in a pub or club or any kind of enclosed public space. If you ain't got it yet in your State, it's a-coming. So what's a self-respecting cig co going to do? Flog its wares to third-world countries - India, Africa, Indonesia, who cares, they're too far away - not in our back yard - and out from the stoop of your nice American homestead they'll flog you a substitute. I wonder how many cig companies also have shareholdings in pharma companies - especially those selling anti-cancer drugs. Anyway Purple Days, all the best with your smoking reduction plan.

Friends, just gotta share some good news. I got laid off from my job in March 2008. Since then, I've survived on state aid, the bulk of which is just about to come to an end. It's been stressful and there is barely enough to live on as it is. And today, after hundreds of job applications and a significant number of interviews - I've finally got a job offer. I could start tomorrow but have chosen to start on 6 Dec. Before then, I will spring-clean my house, and do some other odd jobs I haven't been able to find the energy for. This is no stunner of a job. It doesn't pay tremendously well. It's way below the level of what I am capable of. It's something I can do well, very well, but not I'd prefer to do. In fact, it's a line of work I walked away from in my youth, before I did my degree and professional training. But I will do my new job with joy and rejoicing. Heartily as unto the Lord. With thankfulness and enthusiasm. I believe God to put me in a place where I can make an impact for Him - so it's exciting to see what he might have in store. Beside the salary, of course!

Bowtwi, I'm so pleased for you. You have so very much to contribute, to share, to teach in such a loving way. You're going to be a real blessing and (dare I say it) safe pair of hands in that church. You may find your ministry really opens some new doors to a whole different group of people. God bless you.

Chockfull, yes, it can be a verse used to "cover up" but that's not the way God intended it; it's the way it was misused by TWI. TWI never wanted us to call anything as it was. God is not shy at calling things as they are and decries those who "wink at evil." We are to "speak the truth in love" (Eph 4:15) - and part of speaking the truth is to speak up (nicely) when people are behaving badly. We are to speak up against those who "by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness ... lie in wait to deceive" (Eph 4:14). In other words, there's an expectation that unacceptable behavior will be confronted. Who can speak up is not limited. Especially, not limited to leadership! If we are to speak the truth and decry deceit, etc, or any kind of wrongdoing, that does involve thinking about that behavior, why it is wrong, and how to deal with whatever situation is ongoing. It was right to confront leadership where their behavior was so outrageous. In fact, not doing so is wrong. This fine verse, Phil 4:8, does not bestow an invisibility cloak!! However, looking to find evil is not to be our lifestyle. Not our habit. There are better thoughts to occupy our head space on a regular basis. Phil 4:8 is set in the context of rejoicing, and living moderately. The verses immediately before and immediately afterwards talk of living in peace. The structure is: help each other / rejoice / live moderately / peace / finally, my brethren ... think on these things / peace / rejoice./ lack of want & living within means. That's God's will for our lives - what he wants, how to get it (and, if you like, what to do with it when you've got it!). A peaceful life. There's no space for bearing grudges or harboring unforgiveness. Just not compatible. Very interesting, when one takes verses out of context...and never puts them back but learns to quote them out of context...and what a different emphasis they have when one does put them back into their proper context.

On the other side of the pond, I heard the announcement of the assassination - probably some hours later. I was young, but out on my own. I remember where I was and what I was about to do, at the time. Maybe it was sombre music. Maybe it was announcers' voices. I didn't know what it meant, or even who JFK was really, but I knew it was something really serious. The news coverage went on incessantly.

Hi Rachel, haven't seen you in ages. Have to agree with you, BSG WTF. Teachmevp can sometimes be just a little difficult to follow in his posts.