Twinky

Slightly off topic: As well as JCNG, here is another little beauty that looks plagiarized by yours untruly: In PFAL VPW does say, "there will be blood on the moon" or "men killed on the moon" - just says it real quick and moves on. No discussion. Always seemed a little odd to me, as the verse quoted (Joel 2:31) says that "the sun shall be turned into darkness, and moon into blood..." which is clearly figurative (it's not going to be real blood, as in that which flows through the human body) and the "space race" had been going on for a long time when PFAL was recorded, still Cold War stuff. I don't know that this means that men will be physically fighting ON the moon so much as ABOUT (alleged ownership of) the moon. So perhaps this was a plagiarism too. The quote's lifted from the BG Leonard website that Waysider noted above.

This has been extremely controversial in the UK. Especially in Christian circles, with many people claiming to speak for various Christian groups denouncing it. Apparently the DNA from the host egg donor is removed before being filled with human material, so in effect the scientists are using the "egg shell" only. Or some such (I'm no expert!). This is heralded as a new frontier and if it doesn't happen in the UK the technology will go overseas and we will be left behind again. Is is threatened that the technology will be removed to Asia where there are fewer ethical controls so it is better to grant permission and let it stay in the UK "where it will be subject to strict controls." (Yeah, like how far they can push the envelope.) I think it's all too gruesome - but don't certain animal parts already get transplanted into humans for spare parts? Bits of pig blood vessels? Or is that also still experimental?

Well, they are getting a little bolder. Tillie gazes at the kitchen door as if longing to go out. However, lately she has happily observed me from the dining chair and made no effort to get out. She will not even enter my "study" which she has not been allowed in since she arrived. Today was the first time she came into the study despite my urgings and enticings with her whip/chasing toy. A few times recently I have noticed Tallie also on a dining chair. They may be cuddled up on the same chair. Then Tillie has a stretch and shoves off onto a different chair. Tallie initiates nothing. However if I am playing with Tillie with the whip she is attracted by the noise it makes as it flops onto the carpet or the floor and she emeges quite quickly from her hiding place. I have to flick it at her quite a lot before she makes a desultory effort to catch it. But then she will play (again with half an eye on Tillie). So that is progress for Tallie. She watches with great interest at Tillie, the great galumph, frolics around with great glee. I think she likes to play but can't relax and enjoy because she is scared of the other cat. I am thinking of renaming them now I've got to know them better. Tillie may become "Tuxedo." She looks so smart and dressed up with a perfectly symmetrical white throat and bib which points down her chest. The point tapers delicately to loop round each armpit and delicately trails down the center of her torso to near the crotch region where she has a white circular patch. Her front toes are white and her back toes and heels are also white, like she's wearing spats. Her whiskers are also white. The black is very dense and glossy. She looks all dressed up. Tallie may become "Crypto" (hidden). She also is black but next to Tillie (Tuxy) she is a really really dark brown with a little white circular patch a bit like a necklace at the throat. As far as I know, all the rest is black. Doesn't matter what you call them. They don't respond anyway. ...Ugh. On the other hand Tillie (Tuxy) may become "Crapto" (sorry about the poor taste) - she eats a lot and therefore eliminates a lot (*very* stinkily). As the alpha cat she doesn't consider it necessary to cover her leavings. ...I have to go and attend to the litter tray... (gag). (Edited for spelling)

So-Cal, I really can't imagine this. Which WC were you in ? You certainly didn't have LCM sharing his spiritually enlightening views at lunchtimes as Skyrider says. My in rez Corps couldn't leave the premises at all (at any time) without permission (which of course no-one dared to ask for) - it would have to be for something very special. Even who you spoke to was quite strictly circumscribed. (I was forever getting yelled at for spending "too much" time with staffers.) On the other hand you could arrange quite simple pleasures like a surprise birthday party in the woods, with just what was available to hand. The quiet location at HQ was pleasant (I'm at heart a country girl) but the isolation was shocking. We got very little up to date news about anything. For instance, the Berlin wall was destroyed while I was in rez. You would think that would be a cause for spiritualizing on Corps Night but actually I think it wasn't mentioned or it it was mentioned, just barely. I don't think I learned about it till after I was back out on the field and didn't believe it had happened even then. There were lots of things of, let's say, international significance, that I never knew about until after I got out on the field. But on the other hand, we were given an evening off (maybe a Saturday?) and LCM mentioned that the Superbowl was on TV and we could watch if we wished. Some of us having no interest in that, or preferring quiet time/catching up time/sleep/laundry didn't go and watch TV. Next day we got a bolloxing because if we had had any real interest in The Word and in LCM as the MoG, we would have watched the Superbowl because it was of interest to him and we would then understand him better. Or some such. True!

Excuse me one moment... ...Okay, back from throwing up... So this guy of 49 or 50 "spiritually marries" one or several kids of 15, gets indicted, does a plea bargain and gets 45 days in the nick??? Ah - something wrong with this picture?? Doncha just love the acceptance of the "spiritual marriage" (as opposed to the legal marriage, which clearly didn't happen)? Doncha just love the way the girl's parents themselves are no longer at the Ranch: what is this place, a corral for wayward girls? Does this make the parents procurers (like Rosalie?)? Parents sound deep into the program themselves, normal parents would cut the b0lls off any male that messed with their 15 year old daughter - especially some pervert 3 times her age. Yeah, I can relate. All too well. Sorry for the girls, sorry for the parents - and greatly angry at the old goats that rape the children.

Hey Babe, how's book sales going? (Off topic) I was looking at my pix of the BBQ today (having just loaded them on my "new" (second hand or tenth hand) computer) - there's some great ones especially of you and Dooj. Do you have copies or would you like me to try and send?

Thanks, George, I miss the Cafe when I can't drop in for a cuppa on a frequent basis.

Get a kick out of fuel prices as well, then. In the UK petrol (gasoline) is now a stunning £1.07-£1.10 or thereabouts per litre (that's a non-London price). It just went up. I think that's about US$7 per US gallon. You see why we prefer smaller less thirsty cars over here... I just filled up - in a snowstorm. This is April - huh?

Well, I'm back. Someone Freecycled me a computer with internet connection just this morning. Aren't people kind? It's a few years old and it's dial-up but he has fitted it with whatever is necessary for broadband when I can get round to organizing that. So i can talk to you guys again !!! It's slow after the broadband connection at work but hey, I'm very grateful. It may not be long before I have to get broadband... If any of you don't know what Freecycle is - check on Google. There may be a group near you. People just give stuff away. Some of it's pretty good stuff. All free. Everyone I've met has been lovely. Thank you all for your birthday greetings. Had a lovely day out. As customary at the church I go to, the congregation sings to everyone who had a birthday that week and the birthday people choose a choccy from a basket of Quality Steet. And the birthday people are prayed for. It's rather nice. And I have seen two jobs that i really like the sound of. Only two - but then I only need one...

This thread is not to discuss one version of the Bible but to discuss whether Peter and the other apostles really carried out the instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ in speaking the message, the good news, the gospel, the tidings of his resurrection and all that meant, in the way instructed - or whether they did what they thought was right and did in fact seem right - but a better way had been directed. The difference, perhaps, between sense-knowledge thinking ("Look at all these people! Let's stay here and teach them!") and following the instruction to get out into Judea, Samaria, and everywhere else known about.

Thanks, Pond. Well I guess I have to leave it to them. I do think Tallie is getting a raw deal but if she won't stand up for herself, I can't make her. Would like to encourage her though. She looks miserable, slinking around very low on her legs and ultra wary. It's easy to forget Tillie is also fragile. She acts very bold in the house, following me about, rubbing up against anything she can (even my bicycle chain today, yeuk, and she wouldn't be scared away) but she is easily frightened and is being untouchable again today. They do seem to play together and sniff at each other in greeting. Tillie is the instigator with everything.

Too true, Pond, cats do watch and enjoy TV! Just dropping in briefly, got i/net access but not for long. Guess what? PROGRESS!!!! Tillie allowed me to stroke her yesterday and again today. She also made a low gutteral sound that was rather like purring. My, she has a wonderfully soft coat. She seemed to enjoy a good ear and neck scratch and let me stroke her back and tail both times. She does not welcome it but was submissive enough. She jumped over the food bowl which is by a wall and let me touch her as she did that and gradually let me stroke her more strongly. She put up with it for several minutes and then turned and hit me (drawing blood) but hey, I'm happy. I need to stop her beating up on the other cat, which now comes out to play but is very hesitant and plays with half an eye on Tillie. She can only play with Tillie's permission and likewise eat only with Tillie's permission. I may need to imprison Tillie in the kittening cage (if I can catch her) when I play with Tallie. I have been putting 3-4 drops of Rock Rose and 3-4 drops Mimulus in their drinking water (which is a good sized mugful every day). I wonder if the product has a diuretic effect, as they seem to wee a lot, but they definitely seem calmer. They also get a quick squirt of Feliway near the food bowl and behind the couch (Tallie's current residence). So getting there - slowly slowly but moving forwards.

Thanks, Pond: Thanks for the suggestions.

Leaving my job today...it would be nice if I had another to go to... No internet access at home yet so will be offline for a while. I will miss you guys. Have a piece of birthday cake and a cup of coffee on me, on Sunday.

Dooj - "eliminate strong smelling chemicals"? This for two cats - that had to be ejected by force from their home inside the sink unit, with all the smelly cleaning chemicals in there? Ha ha. Seriously, Tallie is a very timid cat. She was the runt of the litter and even in the womb seems that she wouldn't stand up for herself. I got them playing last night (well, 2 am - yawn) and Tillie is bigger and more outgoing and just pushed Tallie aside or cuffs her, and Tallie just slinks off and might have another go at playing if she can't see Tillie - or if Tillie will let her. They use the same litter tray which by their choice is in the bathtub (they started using that instead of the litter tray!). But Tillie does not cover her leavings. Tallie does. Tallie now lives behind the couch on top of the cushions for the garden furniture, which are inside for the winter. She stays exactly in the middle just out of arm's reach. But I can peek at her from time to time. Any more suggestions from your book greatly appreciated. They will be starting on Bach stuff from this evening.

"The Word of God is the Will of God" How many times have we all heard that? Who believes it? Some of the splinter groups still proclaim that on their websites and other information. First, we have to define what is “the word of God”? Do it mean, the entire Bible? Or does it mean, the prophecies contained in many books? Or does it mean, the Old Testament? Or just the New? Does it mean everything that’s in the book known as “the Word of God”, like the bad behaviour of David, for example, in his adulterous behaviour with Bathsheba or the engineering of her husband’s death? Surely that is not the will of God? For instance: 2 Kings 20:1 (NIV) 1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." So that was the word of God to the prophet. Was that God’s will? I don’t think so. Because Hezekiah prays and lo and behold, God “changes his mind.” 4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. But – there is no shadow of turning with Him? That seems to me a complete about-face! There are many other such examples in the OT. From the NT: Acts 5:1 (NIV) 1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ... 8 Peter asked [sapphira], "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. That was the word spoken of prophecy. But was it the "will of God"? Who is the author of death? Wouldn’t God rather have had her (and Ananias, when he was confronted) rather to stay alive with the possibility of repentance? Paul’s address as he sets sail for Jerusalem: Acts 20: (NIV) 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. This happened! Was it the "will of God"? I don’t think so!! I know we all believe the “good things” (prosper and be in health; healing, etc, not to mention the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and all the stuff in Revelation) and accept those as “the will of God” – but do we accept the bad things that are foretold also as being “the will of God”? What I’m saying, basically, is that this cute little phrase that slides so nicely off the tongue sometimes conceals more than it reveals. I’m just being a bit provocative here. I know what I believe, and I know what (who) I believe God to be and what he is willing to do. Do we think, ie, engage brain, about this phrase?? (edited because some of the punctuation came out strangely)

Having practiced matrimonial law for many years, what I see is that marriages break down for the simple reason that the parties fail to communicate with each other. They may use words and speak to each other, but a real deep inter-active communication, with a full sharing of heart and mind, is what kills it. It's more than just words. Especially if one of the parties then goes and gets that inter-active sharing with someone else ("my wife doesn't understand me..."). It's the betrayal of the heart rather than the betrayal of the body that kills a marriage. Next question: why won't one (or both) fully share? Usually insecurity. Imagined control over the other (rarely recognized by the controller) by witholding information or by refusing to listen. Anal-retentive two-year olds in 20- or 30- or more aged bodies shouldn't get married. Both of them are probably at fault - they need to spend time together away from everyone else with NOBODY else to distract them (no entourage, no waiters). Anybody know a desert island to ship this unhappy pair off to?

I'm okay, I'm okay. Not feeling picked on. All versions of the Bible have something going for them and all have problems. I don't exalt one version above another. I'm just bored with KJV having read it for so many years and I find more modern versions easier to pick through and get to the gist of it quicker. I think the point made in this thread about the Hellenists being of Jewish extraction is a good point. Why else would they be in Jerusalem at Passover time? Too many just to be traders. But I am not moved from the idea that the apostles should have got out there pretty soon after Pentecost to hold forth the word to EVERYONE - Jews, Hellenists, Samaritans, Syrians, Arabs, Europeans, and all the world. Their first focus would naturally be the Mediterranean area. I am considering the course of Paul's ministry, back and forth, back and forth, spending a while in an area, moving on, returning, ordaining leaders for that area, moving on, going back or writing to strengthen them. He spent a lot of time in Antioch and seems to have used that much as a base, returning there time and time again. Who knows what the apostles could have achieved if they had gone out two by two as they had previously been taught, all in different directions? When we see what Paul achieved in just a few short years - okay, they were not all "Pauls" but God works with heart not natural ability alone - what is some had gone to Egypt, some to more south in Africa, some to Babylon, some to other parts of Asia Minor, some to the islands? Paul wanted to get to Spain but he didn't make it there. It's an awesome prospect.

Give'em that Spiritual Abuse book that is so recommended on this site. They really need to know that stuff.

Ah stop boasting. Petrol is about £1.10 per litre in the UK. Say US$2 per litre. Not sure how many litres to a US gallon there are, one converter puts it at 3.7852. (Assuming that is a US gallon which is smaller than a UK gallon). That's US$7.57/gallon in the UK. Now go cry in your beer at your $3/gallon fuel.

VP said: truth is still truth even if it comes out of the mouth of the devil (or words to that effect). That same mouth spouts lies also. With the truth it adds a bit, subtracts a bit, twists a bit... so it sounds like the truth but it actually isn't. That's what THW's point is all about. If it doesn't change the speaker's point of view, as T-Bone points out - where is the power in this "truth"? If there is no power in it - it isn't setting [the speaker] free - so why should anyone follow the speaker's example?

Hi Dooj. Yes, I'm toying with Rescue Remedy as an alternative. Or Mimulus. They both use the same eating and drinking facilities (Tillie is no respecter of dishes) so it has to be something that will suit both. I got two books from the library at lunchtime: "Emotional Healing for Cats" Stefan Ball and Judy Howard and that has a great big initial section about Bach remedies and later talks about other natural remedies; and "Attitudes, Emotions and the Psychology of Cats" Dr Nicholas Dodman. I thought the first was over the top pop psychology when I first saw it but since then several people have recommended the Bach stuff so perhaps it's worth a go for that and whatever else is in it. The second I just saw on the shelf... Did "The Natural Cat" recommend that anything might be appropriate for cats of 16 months?

Hi Squirrel, thanks for the request. Here is the latest: Tillie: A score on March 25 with the cats, or rather Tillie. I got some liver (to eat) and most cats love liver. I offered her a little which she ignored. I persisted and got her quite interested in this new thing. Gave her a little of the blood which she lapped up and thoroughly enjoyed. She got very interested in reaching up to the countertop to try and grab the liver in a dish. I chopped a bit into tiny pieces and proffered it to her and got her eating from my fingers, even licking them and gently nibbling (in case they were more liver). She will not let me touch her but I am hopeful that that’s one more barrier down and she will permit me to approach her and may soon take munchies from my palm. That’s the plan, anyway. She took a small piece of ham from my fingers this morning. Slowly slowly catchee cattee. Tallie has got used to my routine and when I leave home in the morning she is looking keenly at the door. I fear she might make a dash for it one day when I am manipulating my pedal cycle through the door. The longterm intention is of course for her to come and go at will, but I don't think she is quite ready yet to go out. I am trying to teach her skills for an outdoor life - like stalking, catching and tearing at prey. If she runs off once let out, at least she stands a better chance of survival. She is still terribly nervous but compared with what she was on the day she arrived, she has come on magnificently. She is quite bold with me and even though she won't let me touch her, she will now sniff my clothes and follows me around the house. If I go to the bathroom, she is outside the door within a minute. She throws herself down by my feet and rolls on her back, playing and having fun, so clearly she is relaxing somewhat. I am tempted to catch her by throwing a cover over her but just at the moment think that might undo the good work and the trust that she is putting in me. Tallie: Tallie has now moved out from behind the built-in fridge to behind the couch. At least I can peek at her behind the couch and she isn’t shying away too much. I left some pieces of liver near her lair (behind the couch) but she would not take it. At least she is behind the couch not behind the fridge – a slight improvement. Best thing was Good Friday. I was playing with Tillie with this whip thing that she likes to chase the tail of. Tallie emerged from under the sink unit and peered at us. Gradually she crept closer. Tillie meanwhile was having a ball chasing this whip, leaping and rolling over and having fun. Tallie crept closer and closer , eyes glued on the whip, so I gently started flicking the end towards her and slowly she crept closer and began to play with it and try to catch it. She did that twice on Friday and again last night. She plays hesitantly but given long enough gets quite enthusiastic. She allowed herself to get within 3 feet of me without going into a panic. Amazing progress! She is more scared now than she was when she came (or rather, shows it more, she was frozen in fear when she arrived), but she has not hissed at me recently. There was a time when hissing was progress because she made a noise at all. I need a new name for this cat. Heidi springs to mind. But whoever called their cat "Heidi"? She might be called Hissing Sid but that doesn't seem an edifying name either and not appropriate currently. A couple of helpful tips: People have recommended Feliway to me – I have the spray but a diffuser might be better. Someone else has recommended Bach’s Herbal Remedies – Rock Rose for terror, put a drop in the drinking water and it should have a calming effect. I will try this out – the product is not expensive.

Well, Eyes, having read the exerpt from your website, I see you include adultery and other behavior in the same category and make the point that we don't wave banners outside divorce courts. You know what? You're right. We don't get all het up - because we have become used to adultery as "normal" behavior. A century or two ago it would have been considered deviant and therefore punishable. I do believe homosexuality is wrong. But: I'm not a flagwaving anti-homo such as was taught by LCM in his spit-sessions. We are all wrong in many facets of our lives (what about pride, arrogance, "knowing it allness," to mention a few?). We just try to line up better each day. God accepts us complete with imperfections and knowing that we are steeped in sins some of which we consider heinous and some of which we think of as, perhaps, "white lies" but which are all short of the standard God seeks. The minister at the church I now attend gave a wonderfully tender answer when someone asked how we should behave towards homosexuals. He said that we should make sure we look at the individual and consider his or her needs; that homosexuality was just another sin like so many other sins we all commit; and that we shouldn't make a big deal of it. Those who seek deliverance, seek deliverance, not rejection. I have met homosexuals who are more pleasant and honest than some folks at TWI and far more willing to help with nothing to gain from it. Do we stop being friends with someone because they tell a lie? Or are proud? Or are fearful? Or are shortfused about something? Or have an affair with someone else's spouse? Or, or, or... Or do we enjoy the things we can enjoy and leave the contentious things to one side? Anyway - well done with the book. It is always good to research, study and find out not be spoonfed.

Happy birthday beautiful one. Have a great day. Love, Twinky