O'Dannyboy

I used to be self conscious about saying grace in public but these days I see it as my duty to lead by example. I do not concern myself as to who is listening to my conversations and I hope that they might learn something if they do. Most of my conversations, at least in the biggining, are probably complaining about something that happened to me that day or perhaps about politics, the economy or work. Not really worth listening to IMO but if they are bored enough, what the hey.

The same thing happened to me. I was not happy with who I had become and where my life was headed. Amen! I had a similar thing happen to me when I was saved as well. I liked a girl, I wasn't in love with her, and when I became saved I thought there was finally a chance for us. So, I went to visit her only to find her daiting someone else. I wasn't hurt but I did feel a sense of loss. As you pointed out for some of us it requires letting us find out for ourselves how truly empty life is without him. Consider this, imagine how God feels when just one of his children, not only ignores, but rejects him and spurns his love for them. That sense of separation you feel for the girl you love is every bit as painful, if not moreso for our Father in Heaven. Consider how Jesus fealt as he carried the cross while the crowd spat and cursed him. Just look around at how many people return his love. There is a quote. "If you truly love something then let it go. If it comes back to you it's your to love forever and if it doesn't it was never yours." This is true from almost eny perspective. This is what God did with us don't you think? He let us go by giving us free will. Those who chose him are his forever and those who don't weren't meant to. Your relationship with the girl you love is similar. Perhaps for your sake and hers you should let her go. If she comes back to you then she is yours forever. I wouldn't rush it or spend endless hours contemplating it. Put your focuss on God and the rest of your life will fall in place as it was meant to be.

Calling each of the churches is good but I would recommend going to a service at random churches and see what kind of reception you get and listen to the pastors message/interpretation. As you said, the collor of skin should not be a consideration. Worship styles can be vastly different and the deliver of the message can as well. Personally, I would challenge anyone to step out of their comfort zone and experience first hand what it is like to worship in new ways. My surrogate church (I'm not yet a member) was generous and allowed another church use of their sanctuary to hold service after Katrina destroyed their building. The congregation and pastor were primarily black and myself and a friend wanted to experience what a "full gospel" service would be like. The message, once you get passed the passionate delivery, was as you would expect. Humility, reverence and perseverance were at the core of his message. The worship was spirited and inviting. After going to a service such as this you find when you go back to your normal service that the excitement is less than you would wish to see from true believers. I would highly recommend giving it a try. Perhaps you work with someone who attends such a church and perhaps they would be your emmisary, for lack of a better word. I believe you will find it to be an eye opener. For me, I like larger churches. Partly because I like large Bible study classes. I'm not sure what you might consider large, but for me 20-25 is plenty large enough yet still small enough that everyone gets a chance to influence the discussion. A larger congragation also means more and a larger variety of missions. Being a member of the SBC is also helpful where missions are concerned. At least here in the south. It's like we were taught when we were young. "How do you know you don't like it untill you've tried it?" Try not to poke yourself into a jar and you will find that people aren't always as you perceive them and will often challenge your preconceptions. As for the OP. I can understand the mans fears regarding the saftey of the congregation and building they worship in. Put yourself in his shoes. They probably don't get many calles from people inquiring about their theology and worship practices. It would have made any of us nervous. The relevance of it being a "black church" is a concern if he felt it important enough to point out. I would also have to question their theology where they had a woman "reverand". You might want to attend and introduce yourself personally to this "reverend" when you are in the area. In these cases, phone conversations are not revealing enough. You need to be their to look into their eyes and to see whether or not you feel the Holy Spirit move during th service and worship. Theres more to it than meets the eyes and ears. Ya know?

It's the same old song and dance. Rockets fly all day long into Israel but how dare they fight back or impose sanctions. After all the "gifts" the Palestinians have sent into Israel how dare they be angry with us. They should be like Abas and throw their hands in the air and then move to another country.

Ouch! thats Harsh and it says alot. So whos your top choice so far? And why?

My point here is that as Axxman highlighted is that Huckabee, dispite all his Christian overtones, has shown himself to be a consumate politician. He will say whatever he thinks will win him the election. Give me a candidate whose positions on the issues reflect his record as well as echo what he has said from the beginning. I'd just asume put a Morman in office as I would someone who talks out both sides of their mouth. I'm not concerned with his sense of "realism". Is he somehow more realistic than he was a couple months ago? If he meant what he said, in the first place, then he would not have changed his position at any point. It's not like he didn't understand how difficult passing an ammendment would be, it's that he was blowing smoke up our backsides. How can I trust what he says about the other issued if he can so easily change his mind about that one. How about his stance on a smoking ban? Check the sources here. Here is more evidence of his flip flopping. This time about Gitmo. Airing out Mikes Laundry. The only thing I am urging here is that we all do our research and hopefully head each others council with regards to who may or may not be the best candidate. At this point I cannot trust that Mike Huckbees positions on the issues is genuine and therefor I am still undecided as to whom I will support. I had high hopes for Huckabee but he, like president Bush, has not lived up to the hype. Once again, given the candidates, we may be forced to vote for the person who stands the best chance of keeping A liberal from becomming president. Sadly, I fear this may not be enough.

Jesus could not have said it any better. The world is full of those who believe in "A God" and who pray to what they consider to be God. Jesus made it a point to remind us that as the Son of God he has been given charge of humanity and that he alone is the path to heaven. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me John 10:1

Chances are this warning was meant for Israel moreso than the U.S.. Still I do agree that they were refering to Iran when they spoke of defending its' allies.

You miss my point. He changed his position on birthright citizenship for illegals but he fully supports sending the entire family back where they came. If he is in favor of deporting them then why should the child's' citizenship matter? This would still allow them to return, when they reach the proper age, to resume leaching off the government. One of my coworkers complained this morning that his daughter couldn't get into the state college but that the "Mexicans" that live across the street, both the father and the daughter, attend the college free of charge. I understand where he is coming from.

That's possible. The federal government has to pay rent for military bases. When it comes to a border fence I get nervous when they use the word "temporary" We don't need any patch jobs, it needs to be fixed. If they can prove they have stemmed the tide of illegals flowing into our country I would not be fully opposed to allowing them to integrate but without a doubt, clear out the prisons and give them back to the nation that bred them. The same thing goes for those who insist on flying any flag other than the American flag. If they don't wish to be Americans then we have no need for them.

I love animals personally. I'm a pretty mellow person so I have a greater appreciation for cats. Lets consider people on the opposite end of the spectrum. I have met people IRL and here at Worthy that consider animals, in general, as being here to use and abuse as we wish. They have no consideration for animals emotions, however limited, or their pain and suffering. Cock fighters and dog fighters to name a few. These people profess to be Christian and yet have no feelings for the rest of Gods creatures. Just the other day, a coworker accidentally struck a horse that was standing in the middle of the road. One of the horses rear legs was mangled and without question the horse was in an incredible amount of pain. The owners took the horse and tied it in their barn. My coworker and his girlfriend went to check up on this horse and three days later it was still alive and tied in the same spot. What kind of person do you think would allow an animal to suffer for that long? Actions such as this speak volumes about a persons character IMO.

I don't know about what they are doing that is right but they are doing what they must. They are pressed in on all four sides by those who wish them destroyed. Our nation has stood by Israel and for that we have been blessed but now our government is working to undermine all that Israel has fought and died for and for this our nation will be punished. But of course, any punishments issued against the U.S. will, somehow, be the fault of Israel. As much as we dislike it, we were told it would be like this. Gods' will be done.

My boss and I discussed this briefly yesterday. As I remember it, Hell and the lake of fire are two very different things. As I recall, after the Millennial reign, Satan and Hell will both be thrown into the lake of fire. I'm pretty sure this is what it says but I could be reading it wrong.

I was thinking more like "Oh Waaaaahhh". He might consider trying to do something about the rockets being fired in to Israel instead of whining about Israel stepping up it's responses to the attacks.

I just want to know what they mean by temporarily. Eminent Domain does apply under these circumstances, especially when weighed against national security. So, Why temporarily? Will they be paying rent afterwards?

He's not in favor of an amendment to birth right citizenship for children of illegls but he's ready to send these children and their illegal parrents packing? I doubt it. It's more double talk IMO.

Makes me think of Dr. Moreaus' island.

Welcome to Worthy Peg!

It's understandable what Microsoft would want to patent their "spy"software. They might even seek to obtain rights to the entire process. As for the software, it's existence should be deterrent enough to keep employees on their toes. The actual use of such software against employees could effect production in the end and increase insurance premiums through stress related illnesses.

It's sounds a bit outlandish but it would be a mistake to fully disregard it without substantiating or disproving the claim. If they were to implement such a plan as implanting them in newborns. It wouldn't be long before it was made public. Only then would I begin to be concerned. They would have a much harder time convincing adults to take this chip.

Hmmm. This is definitely an indicator of how friendly the U.S. and China really are. Wouldn't it be best if we simply stopped feeding their machine and resumed producing our own goods? I can see no reason why we should feel obligated to by from China, especially after they way they acted towards sanctions against Iran.

I'm not sure this would be a bad thing at this point. Russia, China, India and many Middle Eastern nations, like Iran, have already aligned themselves and so we should consider doing something similar or face being outmatched. Even NAFTA seems to make sense when weighed against such a formidable union as that. It's no wonder the U.S. government has been so oblivious to domestic affairs when faced with such challenges. I'm not excusing them only pointing out the obvious distractions.

I would not call it Saber rattling just yet. It's more than that. Just look at how Russia has been using heating oil and gas to make a point. We may as well call them the new Axis. Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Syria and a slew of other nations that have a common enemy. The U.S.A. If you are friendly to the U.S. then you will be goaded to draw back any support. These are intimidation tactics and while little more than a nuisance, can be quite effective.

Thats actually going to change. The ultra-low sulfur diesel thats now mandated in America facilitates the development of clean diesel engines to meet our emissions standards. Mercedes already has one on the market, and Subaru, VW, and Honda are supposed to have them on the market here next year. I don't understand the opposition some people have to CAFE standards. Personally, I don't want to drive some dinky little sub-compact, I want to drive vehicles like what I have, I just want them to be more efficient. Past CAFE mandates did not result in smaller cars, they just resulted in more efficient cars, the same is true with efficiency standards for appliances. The sad thing about this is that it has taken 30 years and a fuel crunch for something to happen with regard to fuel efficiency. 30 years of R&D and not even a noticeable improvement in fuel economy. Do you suppose it just slipped their mind? Any chance the Oil Industry played a role in stalling any R&D efforts? One can't help but wonder why so much time has lapsed without any improvement in fuel economy.

Before it's over Damascus will be uninhabitable. When it's all said and done they will know why and who defeated them. Israels actions have always been in self defense. Even taking land from those countries they defeated was an act of self preservation in order provide a reasonable amount of buffer between them and those who sought/seek to destroy them.