Twinky

Right now, I'm just plain miserable. And tired. I held her close on my chest all night long, talking and trying to soothe her.

Breathed her last a few minutes ago. Relatively peacefully at home. Now just curled on my lap. My heart is breaking. Thanks for sharing this last sad journey with me.

Funny as, Chocky!

All I can say is: God hasn't run out of miracles. He's not on a budget. To think otherwise is to need a miracle repair-job on one's brain.

Well! I go away on holiday for a few weeks, and come back to find this. Which looked as though it just might have a little substance and seems to have rapidly deteriorated to the same-old same-old. I started to read it from the beginning and at page 8 realised it's 31 pages long. If there is any new idea or thought, please say so. Otherwise, instead of wasting time dissecting the words, works and life of a nonentity man of low reputation and dishonour, it is of more value to spend that time studying the words, works and life of an outstanding Man of exemplary reputation and honour, whose words, works and life will stand for ever.

Okay, so some of you guys have used Bluetooth forever. But I'm a newbie. I have a laptop running Win10 and an Android phone. Both have bluetooth. I wanted to transfer some photos from the phone to the laptop but I don't seem able to. I turned on BT on both devices. Both can "see" each other. Failure notice suggests they need to be within 10m of each other; as they're not more than 10" from each other I can't understand the problem. Do I need to install something else, build a local network (for the two devices) or something else?

Spiritual athletes. Hah! Do you see any of the BoD running? Or any of the higher-ups? Running anywhere? LCM was a footballer or some such; I never saw him out running when I was in rez. Can't imagine any of the other Prezes running. (Maybe Vern, but long ago.) So if they are not running, then they are not athletes. And they are certainly not athletes of the spirit.

And speaking of running shoes, I was going to upload a photo of mine but I seem to have exceeded allowances. I got my running shoes over a decade ago when I ran my first half marathon (in support of a Christian charity in my city). Then I ran several more half marathons over about 6 or 7 years. And then my knee got too painful and I haven't run in some years. Not bad for someone who hates running. Recently took to wearing the shoes again just casually. And what happened to the soles?! Toe coming off, strips coming off the edges and middle. Some bits have been stuck on again (multiple times) and every so often one of the missing bits turns up somewhere in the garden. So basically, the undersole, the soft spongy padding, is mostly exposed on one shoe (other shoe remains intact). Anyway I think I have been sitting on the Christian bench for too long. Time I got back more fully into the "race."

This kinda jumped out at me today, but from a different perspective. All of us here have been hurt by TWI one way or another [except perhaps Mike - well, he has, but he doesn't realise it]. Some have got over it well, some are still struggling with aspects. Constantly we come across new things that need to be revisited because of the programming that was effected upon us. Paul was willing to forget his Pharisee upbringing and indoctrination. Willing to forget the abuse he suffered in Christ's name. To forget the near-misses when he was lowered out of a city, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and generally dragged down by constant undermining from religious Jews. Of course, he didn't forget - he wrote about it so that his supporters then knew, and we today know what he (and others) endured. But he didn't dwell on those things. He and his companions pushed on forward. He wasn't "running his race" with shackles of the past tied to his ankles. I'm so thankful to hear of ex TWI folk who have gone on to serve God and their fellow human beings in a myriad ways in their communities. Some help in established, helpful churches. Some have set up charities. Some have written books, documenting and warning. Others are still sitting on the bench fiddling with their shackles. Or dawdling - on the right course, but not sure if they want to run or not. Hopefully we here can help by giving the key to undoing those shackles. We might even be able to help with a new pair of running shoes, figuratively speaking, of course. And some are running the wrong way completely; those people are not my concern. The Lord will guard and guide them in his time.

Thanks, T-Bone. Yes, same with any pet. Heartbreaking, when you've loved and cared for them for years. I remember family cats from when I was little, right to other cats I've had that I've had to give away because of my own circumstances. There's a thread in In Memoriam>Pets called RIP Twinkletoes - he was such a personality. And he really saved me by loving me and just being there, when I was desperate post-TWI. They're a good vet practice, send condolence cards when pets have died. When I took Tux recently, they were sensitive to where both Tux and I "were," and gave me some steroid tabs to stimulate her appetite. Thing is, it's not her appetite, but her choice not to eat solid foods. She does want food!! Yells loudly for it. Then just looks at it. This now-skinny cat has a lump the size of a large grapefruit in her stomach; sticks out very oddly. Vet suggested a "review" appointment two weeks later (I think they wanted to euthanise her then), which I didn't accept. TBH not sure she will actually last that long. The steroid tabs don't seem to be helping, neither does the Vit.B12 given x2/week.

Absolutely, Charity. We became conditioned to check out Greek and other words, to get a better perspective, to understand nuances, etc. La la la. Waste of time, mostly. Just read what's written. When I first started reading a Bible again (after years of misery) I couldn't read AV (=what you call KJV). My mind would leap to TWI "expoundings" and go off on tracks that weren't helpful. I find it much more helpful to read different versions - any version, really, because those "tramlines" don't operate the same. The more modern English versions are often better for just reading. Epistles and gospels were written in then-contemporary language, not in any fancy historic words; I believe they should be read in good now-contemporary English (or whatever one's first-choice language is - French, Spanish, Bantu...) so as to keep the freshness alive. Actually somebody gave me The Message - so "contemporary" that I couldn't quite grasp parts of it and had to check in other versions! LOL! The Message isn't my current choice but it was helpful then. Reading in context is vital, and it's helpful to check out references to OT situations and context, where a verse has been quoted in a NT passage.

And now, here we are, 16 months from the original diagnosis. I think for Tuxedo the end is close. I went away on holiday for several weeks, and a trusted friend, that she knows and likes, came and catsat for me - in fact, he moved in due to illness in his own home. Tuxy was okay at first but after a couple of weeks started pining for me. I left a 3-3.5kg cat and came back to a 2.2kg cat. That's a huge weight loss. Every bone in her body can easily be felt. There's no muscle tone and her back legs are wobbly. She did start eating again, but only the "soups" and jelly stuff that she likes, and a bit of kibble, which no longer seems to make her regurgitate within minutes. More solid food, like the Melting Hearts soft food, is a bit too much now. Took her to the vet last week, is now 2.55kg, but her belly is huge. There is clearly a growth that is growing almost visibly. She is very weak and going up the stairs is now difficult, but she has been able to get to her little tray (upstairs, in the bath, cats' choice). Yesterday, however, I found several little pats of poo behind my couch, and a large wet patch. I'd decided if she became incontinent, it would be time to go. She's not exactly incontinent, because she can go where she chooses rather than just anywhere, but it's not the proper place and she knows it. There are litter trays now where she'd messed. Sounds like I'm talking myself into the final, horrible, decision, doesn't it? So hard, because she's quite perky and her eyes are bright, her coat good, and she is sweet and affectionate. She lies on my chest at night, on the couch. Last night she snuggled down, fidgeted a bit, gave a large sigh, then was silent. I thought she'd died there and then (would be my preferred choice) but no, she re-settled and started purring contentedly whilst being stroked gently. Today, as every day, she's demanding soups, catmilk and a bit of kibble. How to explain to Crypto? Prepare for sad news. You catlovers here will know and understand.

This is just something that may be of interest to some of you. Cliff College is a Bible-teaching college that has been running for many decades, in a sleepy little village in the middle of England. It's a place more usually passed through than visited, unless you're a hiker or rock climber. The college was set up first by Methodists in the late 1800s, building on previous outreach by others who first built the original Cliff House. Since the Methodists purchased Cliff House in early 1900s, it's been much more used for teaching and training missionaries; Methodists were (and mostly still are) always passionate about evangelising and educating. First link is to an old article in a local online historic journal or newspaper: https://places.wishful-thinking.org.uk/DBY/Curbar/CliffCollege2010.html. Note the "Joyful News" caravan (horse-drawn cart), and the "Gospel Cars" and "Gospel Vans." And the second is a link to the ongoing work and study at the College, now a small but well-known "player" in Bible studies. I particularly draw your attention to the accreditations and the choices available on the curriculum. https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/ (I like the look of their offerings for Theology and Biblical Studies.) Courses are validated by a very reputable university.

Hey, you guys. It's YOU dragging this off topic and making it about another poster here. That other poster just made a comment, as everyone here is entitled to do, reflecting his understanding of a situation. The actual topic here is the article noted above, and its imagery. Or, if you do want to be off topic, do you like the dancing horses?

For some reason, I thought AoS was good at the time. That ole Waybrain! I had the video. Started to watch it some decades later. (Note: "started" - didn't finish it.) It burned quite well in the woodburner.

Don't jump on Mike. I think this was one of his better posts. Short, to the point, just reporting what he heard John Lynn say.

This is a jolly sight more interesting than AoS. I like the third horse (I think it is - dancing sideways) and the two garlanded police horses midway through (looks like at Glastonbury Festival!).

It's actually not a bad article - but it's ruined by the pseudo-intellectualism of stuffing in assorted Greek words, which in context add absolutely nothing to the article. If they were removed, the article wouldn't be any the worse off. And they can't resist sticking their own special interpretation on the Greek words they pull up: see - "The first word that stands out to us is “run,” which is translated from the Greek word trechō. This word literally means to run, but metaphorically it indicates exerting oneself, to strive hard, or to spend one’s strength in performing or attaining something." Yes, that's as may be, but the whole thing is: "We know something a bit better than [someone else]." Paul said, he was all things to all men. He could talk in athletic terms to those with an athletic bent, or where it suited the context and climate of the times. In other places, he talked of putting on armour - to talk, perhaps, to a different group of people. Agricultural and husbandry references abound throughout the Bible, and doubtless Paul used many to expound to those who most understood agriculture. And so we too must explain, or use as a springboard, the imagery and terms that would most reach those with whom we want to share the Good News. Maybe we would talk in terms of athletics, or military, or gardening - or in terms of writing the best computer program (knowing what you/your customer wants, and how to achieve that efficiently), or how to make a perfect cake (follow the rules for success) or playing a musical instrument (needs diligence and practice, you may even need to learn a new language). To over-focus on one metaphor is to minimise the topic and to cut down on outreach. And please don't remind me any more of AoS. Ugh!

We sang this in church last Sunday. Some of the words really hit the spot for me. These in particular: And we magnify his strictness /With a zeal he will not own. (Words shown on the video, and reprinted following the link.) How easily we magnify fault - our own, and others - and condemn ourselves, and others, for that slight or imagined fault; and how often we forget God's graciousness and compassion - for ourselves and others - and so we don't show that love and compassion to others. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in his justice, Which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in heaven; There is no place where earth’s failings Have such kindly judgment given. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of man’s mind; And the heart of the eternal Is most wonderfully kind. But we make his love too narrow By false limits of our own; And we magnify his strictness With a zeal he will not own. There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the head. There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this; There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss. If our love were but more simple, We should take him at his word; And our lives would be all goodness In the joy of Christ our Lord.

We sang this in church last Sunday. Some of the words really hit the spot for me. These in particular: And we magnify his strictness /With a zeal he will not own. (Words shown on the video, and reprinted following the link.) How easily we magnify fault - our own, and others - and condemn ourselves, and others, for that slight or imagined fault; and how often we forget God's graciousness and compassion - for ourselves and others - and so we don't show that love and compassion to others. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in his justice, Which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in heaven; There is no place where earth’s failings Have such kindly judgment given. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of man’s mind; And the heart of the eternal Is most wonderfully kind. But we make his love too narrow By false limits of our own; And we magnify his strictness With a zeal he will not own. There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the head. There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this; There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss. If our love were but more simple, We should take him at his word; And our lives would be all goodness In the joy of Christ our Lord.

Interesting, T-Bone. Not seen that Lexicon before. I found this bit especially interesting: by the trickery κυβείᾳ (kubeia) 2940: dice playing from kubos (a cube, die) by craftiness πανουργίᾳ (panourgia) 3834: cleverness, craftiness from panourgos in deceitful πλάνης (planēs) 4106: a wandering fem. of planos scheming; μεθοδείαν (methodeian) 3180: craft, deceit from methodeuó (to employ craft) Equates dice playing with trickery! Which it often is, especially in the hand of a skilled conman. Planos - associated with the word Planet - the planets were once known as "wandering stars" because their erratic orbits (compared with the rest of the stars) made them inexplicable to ancient astronomers "Methodeian" translated as "deceit" also elsewhere as "wiles," both times with negative overlay.

What's your yield, from, say, 1lb of butter? I've seen some commercially, listed thus: Ingredients Milk Fat (99.8%) Ethyl Butyrate 0.01% Ethyl Butyrate appears to be a flavour enhancer but although it appears in some fruits naturally, it also isn't a healthy product. Maybe it occurs naturally in ghee? Any comments, anyone?

I'd like to see this movie, though not sure it's the kind of thing the Odious (Odeon) will be showing. I don't see it at the independents, either.

Be interested in your view, and your take-away from the book.

Really? Kids can't read joined-up handwriting?????? So strange! Kids in the UK are taught a handwriting style that has serifs, so that they quite easily and naturally start making joined-up words. I know a few people who can only write in block capitals. They seem unable to write in lower-case letters at all. But that surely is much harder work? I prefer to write script, joined up writing, and if circs permit, it's quite neat. A little less neat now than it used to be, but I just got some glasses so I can see better. I write less and use my laptop more. I just had a long holiday, journalled every day, and yes, it's all cursive. 80 pages of it, well, perhaps 70, a few blanks at the back, to write my later thoughts and reflections. And yes, my shopping lists are cursive and on the back of random old envelopes, too.