Watered Garden

I remember being in FLO and hearing with horror that the goal was that no one would EVER hold any kind of leadership position, including twig leader/coordinator without being a WC grad. Which was stupid then and is stupid now. The program might make an individual more knowledgeable and adept at kissing butt, but had little to do, at least in my three months or he!! there, with living life with God's people, loving them and teaching them and walking with them (rather than walking all over them). I got in very deep do-do once for commenting to a staff member, a WC grad naturally, that my father had taught me to hold tree branches aside for someone following me through the woods, rather than criticizing the follower for following too closely and getting whapped in the face as a result. I mean screaming at me and what an ignorant fool my father must have been, was HE a WC grad? Oh he!! no, so he didn't know beans from barium about anything, now did he? The offendee was a graduate of the WC and therefore filled with all the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the universe and WHO THE HE!! DID I THINK I WAS TO OFFER A SUGGESTION TO THIS GREAT AND MIGHTY MAN OF GOD? I still hold branches aside for the follower, and I still think Dad knew more about woodsmanship than that puffed up little $hytazz. But he was WC and therefore knew everything. And I have forgiven the above nameless idiot, even for maligning a man he had never met who was a better man than he knew existed. WG

I think when kids get to a certain age, they HAVE to learn stuff for themselves. And I think they learn it better if they learn it for themselves. I know I did. I know I have regrets for things I didn't learn until it was too late, i.e. my relationship with my parents, but on the other hand, it was there to learn if I hadn't been so stupid. Does that make any sense at all? WG

I always thought it was a kinda cute looking place when we drove through en route to the North Cascades, George.

It's only about 10,000 people; probably one of those places where everyone knows everyone. WG

So did this new thread erkjohn and Waysider talked about ever get started? WG

I think that's sort in nowheresville, right off the North Cascades Highway? Western Washington is full of all sorts of strange people; he'll fit right in. You were right to warn them, though. Oh and no offense to George A. who lives in western Washington but not close to Sedro-Woolley. WG

Thanks, Tom! WG

never mind

There is a pretty wide range in new calvinism beliefs. The pastor of the Acts 29 church plant we attended stated plainly that God no longer heals. He stated that God allowed healing to draw attention to the ministry of Jesus and then for a while to the ministry of the early church. I don't doubt that others do believe in healing. This guy doesn't believe in any of the "gifts" or manifestations or whatever you want to call them, as listed in Ephesians(?). I had heard somewhere about Matt Chandler and I pray for him too though you won't see my name on any list. WG

Welcome back, Bride!!!! Thanks for your well thought out answers. I don't wail about having IDDM, it's a part of life, and to say "we live in a broken world" is like the understatement of the milennia. The problem I had with the whole thing about that was just that people were telling me it's some sin you've committed and God will "crush" you until you recognize and confess it. Holy Spirit tells me, "Well, why NOT you?" and to get on with my life and live it for HIM not cowering because I might not be good enough. The young pastor likes "crush." He preached a Father's Day sermon on how fathers must crush their children, not build their self-esteem, but crush them so they understand they are worthless, useless, helpless and hopeless, but crush them "in the direction of God." He preached on Jonah and God crushing him. And I think you are right, he didn't have a real answer so he got all blustery. He also waved aside any scripture references I might have had to offer - a woman couldn't possibly understand the Bible, now could she? Glad to see you back! WG

Wanna give me some details? I'm not up to date on whatever that is you posted the link to. Remember the first year when for a while Gibbs was being picked up by a woman in a silver Mercedes convertible? Did they ever say who she was? I thought the Christmas episode last Tuesday was just wonderful. Mr. Garden hates TV, especially the Law&Order & CSI series, but he likes NCIS because most of the time it ends on a positive note. I wonder if Jeanne Anwuile (sp?) will ever resurface? So what do you think of NCIS: Los Angeles? I think it has possibilities. I like the two guys, Sam Hanna and G. Callen, but I guess it takes a while to develop the team concepts that works so well in the original.

Aw, erkjohn, see we never knew that. We gotta get caught up here after the holidays! I guess you figured out we were in the Seattle area for our last three years in bondage, er, TWIdom. But yeah, drove through Cour d-Alene once, very nice. WG

Having stood within 3 feet of those guys, I can attest to their huge size and power. They are quite amazing, and are crowd-tested before they even get close to the harness. WG

Okay, I'm going to try this. Lemme know if it works. Maybe you can paste it?

ChasU, thanks for posting the lyrics to my favorite Christmas song! Words by Mark Lowry, but I don't know how to post those links from You-Tube (computer idiot is what I am). Budweiser Clydesdales - Yes! Snow - Yes! Budweiser - well, they make Shock Top so I guess that's a Yes! too. And parts of Handel's Messiah are inspiring also. WG

I've noticed that too. Two years ago we sent out quite a few and received quite a few back. Last Christmas we sent out the same number and received maybe five at the most. I don't know if it's the economy or sending them is just not "the thing" to do any more. WG

Congratulations! I'll be checking this out later when the ground isn't frozen solid!

I think God relates to us in ways we can understand. He made us and knows us, and knows how weak and stupid we are (Ps 103). I don't want anyone to think I do not appreciate those who focus on the majesty and glory of God; that was one thing I liked about this New Calvinist church plant. But other than that, I'm extremely blessed to be where I am now, doing what I do and being able to freely give my all for His Highest without fear of being deemed worthless. The blood of Jesus made me worthy, nothing else. WG

Jeff -

I've got cilantro and that's about all. Gonna plant some kale and maybe collards (though I really really like kale) about February or March. It's down in the 40's here, a good bit colder at night, but the cilantro is protected on the front porch. I clipped some last week for a chicken/lime/garlic/sweet peppers/cilantro meal we like. It will probably not bolt for a while, though! WG We did indeed let the amaryllis set out and grow their little bulbs all summer, bring them in, trim them, rest them in the basement and now they are indoors, in a relatively sunny location. I also found some mystery bulbs in the front yard, just lying in the open side by side, and asked Mr. Garden why he dug them up and left them there. He disavowed any knowledge of the matter, so they are trying to make something of themselves in the sunroom also. WG

In 1995-96 as I recall, ANYONE who was in debt was to get out of debt quickly or be M&A. That included us unworthy peons, with a hospital bill to pay off, and we were ordered to sell some stock we owned in a very profitable company, pay off the debt and guess what to do with the rest of the money? We bought CDs with the rest of the money. Didn't tell anybody. Used the money to get out of Dodge. WG

Went to friends' house this year, brought two bottles of very nice wine and two home baked pies - my first lemon meringue from scratch. Pretty good if I do say so WG

Is that TWIese for leave me the heck alone? WG

How about "You are not spiritual enough to understand it." That was said to me once when a housemate had left the door unlocked, enabling some neighboring teen to cruise right in during the night and make off with my purse, containing cash, driver's license, credit cards and contact lenses. This woman informed me we had been burglarized by this same person before because the door was left unlocked, and when I inquired why (a) no one told me about the intruder, and (b) she was leaving the door unlocked when she KNEW about it, this was her reply: "You aren't spiritual enough to understand it, and also you are not spiritual enough to believe God to leave your purse out where the intruder can see it and not have it stolen." Oh, gag me with a blue book! That is the stupidest thing I ever heard! The idiot refused to tell me who the intruder was, and consequently I never reported it to the police. (I was also shamed at the very suggestion). Eventually the police caught the miscreant, who had of course stolen my ID, money and Visa, in addition to cosmetics, but kindly left my dried-up contact lenses. The policeman was not impressed by my lame-azzed explanation as to why I had not reported it, either, pointing out that several others had subsequently been burglarized because of my reluctance to involve the police. I hope I NEVER see that damn fool woman again as long as I live! WG

For me it took being told to abandon our son in downtown city where he could become a street child, maybe a whore. That was okay; he was possessed and we could not enter the household of victory whatever the hell they called it with him in tow. That and LCM portentously announcing on a tape: If you have chronic disease in your life it is because you have chronic sin in your life. Well excuse me all to hell; Craig. Maybe the chronic disease is MY allergy to YOUR BS! WG