winsomebulldog

I'm going to have to agree with Morning Glory, here, on a few points. First, suggesting that we women can't really "get" the idea of war because we're female is a very assinine statement. We women understand these aspects just fine. Generally speaking, I'm a advocate for the kinds of tactics BB has been advocating. I think many of our failings in the war arena have stemmed from a lack of committment to doing what was necessary. We've become so influenced by liberal screaming about the loss of innocent lives during war actions that we're trying to tip-toe our way through combat. It started with Vietnam and has only gotten worse since then. It's time the American public get over the idea that, somehow, no one is supposed to die in war. Having said that, my initial instinct, despite being a woman , is that we need to hit the Mid-East hard to make the point that we WILL defend ourselves. But I also believe that Morning Glory is correct and that such actions wouldn't do much to deter the Muslims. They are taught from infancy that dying for their beliefs is pretty much the only way to guarantee admission to their idea of paradise. They would celebrate being killed by the country they hate almost as much as Israel, and they would turn it into a rallying cry to whip up even more hatred against us. Conventional warfare just isn't going to work in this case. On the other hand, as a step toward answering what we should do, I think we absolutely should cease all financial aid to every Muslim nation that refuses to acknowledge Israel's right to existance. Every Muslim nation that continues to harbor, shield, foster, and/or support radical groups should be openly condemned and denied all aid. We should issue a definitive statement in support of Israel, including a committment to defend them as an ally and to declare war on any nation that attacks them. And not war as it is fought today, but war as it should be fought, meaning we wipe entire nations off the face of the planet from afar. We've become absurdly soft when it comes to the reality of war. We want no one to get hurt. We want no innocent to get so much as a scratch. We want no member of our military to get hurt or killed. Well, that's just not how it works. As I've said multiple times before in similar discussions, "War is hell," is not just some cliche. It's the reality and should never be entered into lightly, but once it is begun, it should be carried out with ruthless lethality until the opposition loses all desire to continue. The Muslims seem to have this figured out and so far, they're succeeding.

My thinking is that embassies are considered soverign ground belonging to whatever nation they represent. By international law, a US embassy in Egypt, or anywhere else, is considered to be US soil. And this applies to all embassies of all nations. If some nut scaled the wall of any embassy and was shot by that embassy's security forces, they would be entirely within their rights. So I honestly believe the "protesters" who scaled that wall and tore down our flag should have been considered enemy invaders and shot on the spot.

I am truly sick of hearing Islam called the "Religion of Peace." It is a religion of violence and murder. Anyone foolish enough to think otherwise is just furthering the Islamic agenda.

You know, I don't generally have a particularly strong reaction to what I see as partisan idiocy, but while reading the article about this I felt two distinct emotions. One, was outrage. The second was a shiver of what I can best describe as fear. Not for myself, though I can't honestly say I'm looking forward to the way I think things are going to get much, much worse before they get better. But fear for the ones who so blatantly choose to turn their backs on Christ and put this man in His place.

Honestly, it is rapidly reaching a point where I don't feel that I can trust ANYTHING I read or see. More and more, I get the sense that there is no such thing as imparitality. Both sides seem to be employing the tactic of skewing what they report to best fit their agenda. It's very sad, and more than a little worrisome.

Not sure if this is the video everyone saw, but after visiting CBS.com this was what I found. CBS Evening News Video If this is the right video, I find myself unsure just how much of the man's words were intended to be sarcastic. He made the point that they had done everything right, but still found themselves in a situation where the mortgage on their home was significantly higher than the actual value. I can sympathize with that. At the time they got the loan, the value of the home they bought was clearly listed as much higher than it is now. That's not really their fault. I do think he was suggesting that something should be done to change their situation for them. (Bailout.) No doubt they believe the mortgage holder on their home should adjust the mortage to more accurately reflect the current value of the home. I understand their frustration over the situation, but the reality is, they opted to take out the loan and now they're stuck with it. As someone who's been in that same boat with a vehicle, I know how much it stinks to make payments every month on a loan that is horrifyingly larger than the value of the item it was made for. I also know that it was my choice to get that loan in the first place. I knew very well going in that it was unwise, but I wanted the car so I did it. I think it's very much the same with the houses. People always think they need something bigger and better. My loan is now paid off and I'm still driving that same car, and will be for a good, long while, Lord willing. Ultimately, I think the man in the video is being somewhat sarcastic. But I also think there's more than a hint of sincerity in his question.

Exactly. Everyone owes me something. If it isn't fair, then I shouldn't have to put up with it. Mommy and Daddy told me I was special and I deserve to have everything I want. [foot stomp!] I'm sick of hearing it from people who made idiotic choices like taking out loans they couldn't afford. But then, they're just looking at how our brilliant government opted to bail out banks and companies that made just the same sorts of terrible financial decisions. If banks and massive corporations don't have to face the consequences of their idiotic choices, why should the "everyday" idiot?

LOL! Some secret. Ha! I've been thinking the same thing, neb. First time I saw the headline, I laughed out loud. Absurd. Never mind the riskiness of getting into this mess, even "behind the scenes" without committment of troops. That hasn't worked out very well in the past.

See the boy's original article, as well as the opposing view that was included with it. I read it and saw nothing that I would describe as even remotely akin to "bullying" and/or "disrespect." But then, we now live in a society where anyone who does not openly embrace, support, and even champion gay/homosexual causes is labeled a bigot and far worse. I am no fan of frivolous lawsuits and am not really sure if this situation warrants one or not, but at the very least, the school system should have to issue an apology to the boy for their behavior. I'd be amazed if that actually happened, however. See the boy's original article, as well as the opposing view that was included with it. I read it and saw nothing that I would describe as even remotely akin to "bullying" and/or "disrespect." But then, we now live in a society where anyone who does not openly embrace, support, and even champion gay/homosexual causes is labeled a bigot and far worse. I am no fan of frivolous lawsuits and am not really sure if this situation warrants one or not, but at the very least, the school system should have to issue an apology to the boy for their behavior. I'd be amazed if that actually happened, however. We live in a fallen world which no longer embraces the truth, but mocks it instead. When you try to offer hope to it, you are insulted and turned into a villain, and heaven forbid we introduce consequence into the closed off world of the entitlement era. Anyone who has been on this wonderful site can testify to that. We try and lead them into the right direction but they act as if we are trying to lead them to the slaughter. Worse part is things will progressively get worse. God Help us.. .. I'm finding myself increasingly amazed and horrified by just how quickly socital decay seems to be overtaking us. I do not consider myself old at 41, yet have seen a complete collapse of even the most basic sense of respect and consideration for our "neighbors" in my lifetime. I tell people all the time that if I had behaved even marginally like young people today do, my mother would have slapped me full across the face. But the truth is I would never have acted like I see so many people acting because I was taught to behave and be respectful of others, both my peers and my elders. And it isn't just kids and teens. I am continually amazed by how many times I see and hear people even older than myself behaving with a complete lack of manners and consideration. We are devolving into a nation of people who claim to want peace and equality for all, yet happily bully and belittle anyone who doesn't share whatever view happens to be the favorite at the moment. Selfishness has become not only the norm, but the "right" of all since everyone is now "special" and entitled to be treated like royalty. Unless, as I've said, you dare to disagree with politically correct viewpoints.

Reading this, I found myself thinking about a song that is on an old tape of mine that talks about praying for God to turn the world one more time because there are so many out there who still need to be saved. Being a singer raised in a family of music lovers, music and songs are a large part of my daily life. They speak to me on so many levels. Some of my very favorite songs are those that talk about "going home." Lyrics about the end of pain, sorrow, grief, and tears, and being reunited with family members who have gone before and seeing them free of the grief that comes with life in this fallen world are guaranteed to leave me with tears in my eyes. No doubt that's because I lost so many of my family members at an early age and many of them suffered a lot of grief in their lives. But lately, every time I hear one of those songs, I find myself feeling very torn between the personal desire to go home, to be free of the darkness of this world, and my knowledge that as a Christian, I need to be praying for those who are still lost. I need to place my concern for them above my own desires. I think often about how ungenerous we Christians can be toward one another, as well. As a specific personal situation from my life: I have a personal issue with someone in my family. My opinion is based in fact. I find it sad that I have such a low opinion of this person, but I know that I have a lot of good reason for that opinion. Personal, first-hand experience has left me feeling less than loving toward them. Because of this, when their name comes up in conversation, I have a real problem biting my tongue when I hear someone "feeling sorry" for them because of the state of their life situation. (Which is a direct result of the choices they've made in their life.) Recently, I spent a good part of a day with a very close church friend who brought this person up and we did talk about them at length. Afterwards, I felt as though I should have kept much of what I'd said to myself, mostly because I know it wasn't charitable to talk about them like I did. But the fact is that what I said was all true. So I was left wondering where the line is? Do we stand by and allow things we know to be false to be shared in the interest of not "complaining" about others or "gossiping" about them. Or do we speak up when we hear the falsehoods that are being used to make people feel sorry for this person? I sincerely struggle with this issue. I will add that I would be less prone to voice much of what I did that day if I had been with several others instead of just one. I'll mention that the person I was talking to was someone I am very close to as a Christian and she is only one of two other women I would have spoken that feely with. She is a woman I consider a mentor. I wouldn't talk to others the way I talk to her. Honestly, I don't know where honestly turns to complaining. I strive to be honest about myself. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. But I know that sometimes, unflinching honesty is pretty much brutality cloaked in a veil of self-righteousness. There's a good reason the Bible warns about the dangers of an out of control tongue. So, how do the rest of you find the line? How do you decide when to speak and when to stay silent?

On the one hand, I think it's very possible that this man could have Aspburger's and as such, needs to be treated with consideration for his mental health. On the other hand, I know very well that if I or someone I loved worked for a company who had an employee make threats, I'd want the police to take it seriously until they had a reason not to. Is the media bias? Undoubtedly. They put whatever spin on a topic that they think will bet them the biggest ratings or will line up with their political agenda. The days of impartial media are long gone. I'm not a member of the NRA and like so many other political juggernauts, I do not agree with everything they've ever said. However, I'm far more afraid of the government taking away my right to bear arms than I am of the NRA's bluster. Calling them terrorists is not only unfounded, it's use of a deliberately inflamatory word just to push a political agenda.

I am thinking that the OP is asking about breaking civil law, not moral or spiritual law. I'll use the Colorado theater shooting for an example because that's what's on all our minds right now. First the "what if's." Assume that the shooter goes to trial and is convicted of multiple counts of premditated murder and attempted murder. Assume he gets the death penalty. Then assume that while he is sitting on death row he hears the gospel, takes it to heart and gives himself to Christ. This setup leads to the hypothetical question brought up in the OP. Does the killer's sincere repentence of his crimes mean he should have the civilly appointed consequence of his crimes set aside? If so, then how much "forgiveness" should he receive? Should he have his death setence commuted to life in prison? Or should he be set free to go on with his life? From a Christian prespective, it is impossible to argue that God has forgiven him of the sin of the murders he committed. (Assuming, of course, that his conversion was "real." And for the sake of this discussion, I'll assume it was.) While some might argue that it is "unfair" for him to not suffer eternally for his crimes, the reality is that God doesn't draw lines when it comes to salvation and forgivenss. Repent, and it's forgiven. Period. Our human nature may want to see those guilty of horrendous crimes suffer to the point of "burning in hell," but God has a heart we can barely begin to comprehend. So, if we're talking about the eternal consequences of sin - even mass murder - committed prior to repentance, then the answer is a resounding, "Yes, the guilty should and will be forgiven." However, I think what's truly being asked is whether or not the corporeal consequences of crimes should be forgiven, meaning set aside. And my personal answer is no. Spiritually, God forgives. But that forgivenss does not always translate into a physical absolution of any and all consequences of whatever sin we've committed. We reap what we sow. Again, in a purely civil way, the consequences of our crime are there based upon the crime in question, not the thoughts and/or feelings of the perpetrator at some point after the fact. I think many people may repent of a crime once they are in prison, but the fact is they still committed that crime and a civil jury of their peers determined that there was enough evidence to convict them of that crime. A jury or a judge then set what they felt was an appropriate sentence as punishment for that crime. Spiritual repentence and forgivness doesn't change any of that. If someone commits murder and is given the death penalty, then that is the civil consequence of committing murder. God can and will forgive them, but it doesn't necessarily follow that civil authorities must do the same. The Bible talks much about forgiveness. And most of that talk is about our attitudes and overcoming our own natural pride that will drive us to hang on to grudges with both hands. If someone murders or terribly hurts someone we love, then I think we (meaning Christians) need to strive to forgive them. I think that's precisely what God teaches us to do in more than one place in scripture. And I think we ought to not seek vengeance, meaning we have no business going out there to punish the criminal ourselves. But vengeance and justice are not the same thing. Justice means: 1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments b : judge c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity 2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair b (1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action (2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness c : the quality of conforming to law 3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness Vengeance means: : punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense : retribution Notice that justice is about impartiality while vengeance is about retaliation. This is precisely why juries are vetted in an attempt to find those who can and will be impartial. If victims or their families were allowed to fill the jury box, no one would receive justice. The death penalty isn't about vengeance. It is about justice. So, if you commit murder and are found guilty of doing so, you must then meet the consequence that has been justifiably allotted to you. Honestly, your spiritual state, either at the time you committed whatever crime you were convicted of or at any later date is irrelevant. Eternal and eathly lives are not interchangable. Having said all this, I also know that God sees His will done in all things. Meaning that if it were a part of his will for a mass murderer on death row to go free, then it would happen. As others have said, God will have mercy on whomever He chooses. We may not understand it or like it for that matter, but things happen according to His will, not ours.

If the reaction to this article isn't proof that this Christian boy wasn't allowed to have an opinion, then I don't know what else to call it. A single example of a poor decision is never proof of anything so broad. It would be like saying "my road has a pothole in it, so it's proof that our country's transportation system is underfunded" or something else equally absurd. Did the school inproperly punish this student? I believe that they did, yes. Does that prove that "christians" in the country aren't allowed to have an opinion? Not at all, especially when you consider that the majority of the country self identifies as christian. I would agree with you if this were the only incident of a Christian being verbally attacked for daring to have an opinion contrary to whatever is deemed "politically correct." However, as I'll point out, this isn't the only time something like this has happened. It really doesn't take much searching to find examples across the internet and in the news. Anyone who isn't pro-gay is automatically labeled as intolerant, bigoted, a bully, and a host of other unflattering and ugly things. Also, what the majority of the country chooses to identify themselves as in no way means every person who calls themselves a Christian is one. (Just as an FYI, you might want to look into the reality of those statistical percentages that suggest the majority of Americans are Christians. This article is a few years out of date, but the point it makes is still valid.) The definition of a Christian is another topic entirely and I don't wish to derail this thread with it. The point I did intend to make and that I maintain is true is that there is a very hostile environment for any Christian who dares to disagree with the gay lifestyle (among other things). Christian opinions are subject to ridicule, insult, and abuse, but rarely respect. This was a single example of just how far things have gone. Christian beliefs, whether about homosexuality, evolution, or the existence of God Himself, are routinely treated with derision. As I and others pointed out in various posts on this thread, if the shoe had been on the other foot things would have been handled differently. If a Christian parent had called the school to complain about the pro-gay side of the article, I honestly believe they would have been ignored. If you sincerely believe that Christians aren't having their opinions bashed and ridiculed, particularly on homosexuality, then you need to pay more attention to any Christian opinion posted on any secular site. It takes virtually no effort at all to see this reality. The recent decisions by the Boy Scouts of America to uphold their ban on homosexuals can provide a wide array of articles calling the BSA bigots and accusing them of promoting intolerance and contributing to the abuse and bullying of homosexuals. Chick-fil-a's decision to stand by their Christian values has made them a target as well. And here's another incident from a school: Texas teen's suspension reduced after anti-gay remark And, the very first comment I read at the end of the article, "I would've pointed out that his thoughts are perfectly in line with the Nazi's use of Christianity and left it at that." It devolves into further Christian bashing from there. Certainly, there are Christinas who defend themselves and their beliefs, but the point I'm making stands: Anyone who dares to openly disagree with homosexuality can fully expect to be called an assortment of vile names. The side that loves to preach tolerance and acceptance clearly does not extend either to anyone who dares to disagree with them. When a boy who wears a shirt to school that says, "Life is wasted without Jesus" can be told to remove it because it is "hate speech" then we've reached a place where Christian opinions are being attacked.

If the reaction to this article isn't proof that this Christian boy wasn't allowed to have an opinion, then I don't know what else to call it.

I agree that I think much of the intent behind these words of Obama's has been ignored or missed. However, while I understand the point that "no man is an island" and every successful person got there with some form of help or another, I also am highly offended by two parts of this speech. 1. "I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there." 2. "It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something -- there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there." Innovation is born of ingunity, guts, intelligence, determination, and often an absolute refusal to allow doubts of others or even of your own to stop you. There are a lot of smart and/or hardworking people in the world. But the vast majority of them will never take the step to create something that didn't exist before. Whether we're talking about a physical technology or product that simply does not exist (think Apple) or a business that someone opens (think the only hardware store in a tiny town), the reality is that the only reason these things happen is because some person took the initiative to get up off their rear and take the first step to making it happen. Yes, they probably got a loan. Yes, they used publically built roads to travel on. Yes, they may have hired someone else to build their product or new business. They may have hired employees to help the company grow. But the fact remains that more often than not, the initial months, years or even decades of their new business venture were only kept going by their personal effort. Meaning, every single business that starts isn't done so with a loan of millions of dollars that allows the creator to build a good-sized factory and hire half a dozen employees to run it. It's started in someone's basement or garage (Apple again) by a guy who has a dream and isn't afraid to work his rear off to make it happen. Sure, these days companies like Apple kept going by literally thousands of employees. But anyone who has the audacity of say that Steve Jobs doesn't deserve all the credit for creating and building it is delusional. There's a tiny hardware store in my hometown that has been in business since some time in the 1800's. As long as I've lived here (20 years) is has been run by one family. They lived over the store. They didn't have other employees. They kept that place open all by themselves through hard work and determination. Last year they finally sold the business so they could retire and the husband could devote himself to being an artist. He now has a studio literally across the street from the hardware store. Aside from the getting a loan, using public roads, having a teacher, etc. arguements, how can anyone be credited with the success of their business other than them? As has already been mentioned, banks, roads, teachers, ect. are all a part of the American way of life. Anyone can apply for a loan. Anyone can drive on a public road. Anyone can go to school. But not anyone can get that loan. Because it takes a good business plan and a stable financial history to convince a bank to hand over that money. And it takes a bit of sense to determine where to locate your new business to best take advantage of those public roads. And it takes personal drive to make use of the things the teacher has told you.. No one does anything completely on their own. It's true. We all have help in one form or another. Spouses who support us. Parents who love us. Partners who share our vision. And banks, teachers, builders, employees, etc. who help us bring our vision to life. But none of it would happen without us first having the vision, being willing to take the enormous risk of striving to make it real, and working hard to make it happen. I know a lot of hardworking people. But I know very few of those hard workers who have the guts to step out into the unknown and make something out of nothing. This is why so many small business owners are so offended. It isn't about taking "If you’ve got a business -- you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen," out of context. In context just makes it worse.

My Dad is a Texan, and my dad complains all the time about what "Southerners" call BBQ. BBQ is not sweet, nor is it chunks of meat drowned in sauce. It's slabs of meat slow cooked over a grill with BBQ sauce as a coating. See, I don't like my BBQ sweet. I'm a fan of spicy food, especially my BBQ. I also don't like my BBQ drowning in sauce. I always add my sauce on top of my sandwich. And smoked brisket is so good that I'll eat it plain right out of the smoker. Tell your dad it could be worse. Up here in Yankee-land, they think BBQ is ground beef with sauce in it. Basically, Sloppy Joes. [shiver]

They were forbidden in the old testament. Both the real sexual intercourse and marriages. It was all about that a fear prevailed, Jews could accept the faith of their non-Jewish partners. Sorry to just jump in here, but mixed-race marriages were NOT forbidden in the Old Testament. Marriages between peoples of differing FAITHS was prohibited. And yes, it was because God did not want His people led astray into other belief systems. Even the New Testament carries this theme forward and instructs us not to be "unequally yoked." In the most basic terms, we are warned that marriage with someone who does not share our beliefs and faith will cause us a whole heap of grief. And judging from what I've personally seen of those who tried it, the Bible was compeletely right. But then it always is, isn't it. (Not a question.)

I was born and raised in the South, Mississippi to be precise. I don't know that I could begin to list all the misconceptions I've heard attributed to my home state in my lifetime, especially since I left the South and moved up North. (Married a Yankee) A lot of what I hear is semi-true. Southerns do live life at a slower pace. The problem is that many non-Southerners don't realize that a slower lifestyle - and vocal cadence - does not mean slower brains or lower IQs. I get very tired of hearing Southerers all called "hicks" or much, much worse. I suppose the thing that bothers me most, though, is the notion that all Southerners, and MIssissippians in particular, are racists. It's a topic I can rant on for quite a while. Basically, having been born and raised in the South by parents that I readily admit were, indeed, racists (primarily through ignorance), I can honestly and sincerely state that I have seen far worse and more insidious evidences of blatant and unapologetic racism during my more than 2 decades of living in the supposedly unbiased and progressive North. On a lighter note, I do have to laugh at myself and much of my heritage. As my beloved husband noted a few years back after a business trip to Tennessee, "Southern women are still into big hair." Way back in the day, I think I probably used half a can of hairspray every morning in an attempt to keep my poof in place. LOL Generally, I'm very proud of where I'm from. It isn't a perfect place, but even my hubby says he'd like to move South one day. For anyone who hasn't lived there (or married into it like him) it will likely always be something of a misunderstood place. But for those of use who know it first-hand, no length of time away will ever make it less "home." As to Texas: both my sisters lived there for years. I've got a dear friend who lived there as well. We all agree that Texas is pretty much a place unto itself. The only problem I have with them is their utter confusion over what BBQ actually is. For the uninformed, BBQ is smoked, pulled pork. Nothing else. Beef Brisket is NOT BBQ. It is, however, very, very tasty. Which is why hubby and I routinely smoke both brisket and pork so we can stuff it into the freezer for the long winter months! Great. Now I'm hungry. Time to go raid the freezer and find me some yummy BBQ!

LOL Sounds a bit like something I might consider trying. Though, I don't think a blow torch would work for me. Maybe a flame thrower, because I could be a lot further away from the spiders when using it. Hubby laughs at me because I have an annual tradition of hosing down the house with bug killer just to keep the spiders away. I really do hate the things. They completely freak me out. My fear is wholly unnatural, but I refuse to try the popular "immersion" therapy that is supposed to be the best way to rid myself of my phobia. So far, my fear has not led me to do anything destructive. Silly, yes. Like screaming and flailing like a loon when I think a spider might be on me. Done that too many times to count. And I don't go out much at night because our house is surrounded by trees and the spiders go nuts in them at night. (I've got the pictures to prove it.) I do feel for the poor guy. Around here, the only firestarter is my husband. And boy, has he started some fires! (Long story, but suffice it to say, the fire department WAS involved. LOL)

I use Firefox and WOT. Have been using both for years. WOT is pretty handy, though I have run across a few sites that have less than perfect ratings when I go there all the time and have no issues. Still, I abide by WOT suggestions unless I specifically know the site well and have reason to doubt the ratings.

Yeah, I got something similar, though I just assumed right off the bat that it was some kind of scam. It was actually in my spam folder. I didn't click on it or any links within it. I'd check the actual detailed info on precisely where the email came from, to see if it really is coming from Amazon - which I doubt. If it is, then be sure to contact Amazon about it and, as others have said, change your account password. I've already deleted my version, but if I get a new one, I'll do more investigation into it. *Edited to add: I looked in my spam folder and sure enough, there was another one. I took a look at the full header and after a bit of looking, noted that it was not actually from amazon.com. When comparing other legitimate emails from Amazon, I noted that they are always from amazon.com and signed by amazon.com. So, this is definitely spam. 'm going to report it to Amazon and to my email provider. I suggest anyone else who has gotten one of these do the same.

Be careful where you spit. In my town there used to be a law against spitting on the sidewalk because the old men chewed and most children were bearfooted... and of course TB was common in those days. I live and work in the country, so spitting isn't really a problem. When among civilized city folks I seldom spit, but when I do spit, it isn't on a sidewalk, I usually find a bush, flower pot or some dirt for my disgusting habit. One of my pet peeves is somebody that gets a paper cup with a paper towel in it, so they can spit, I think that is just filthy. (just my opinion) My first boyfriend dipped and did the cup thing. Had one everywhere he went. That or a bottle. Something. And it was filthy. Hated it. My husband occasionally chewed when we met. Pretty rarely, but enough for me to pester him until he quit. Being the completely stubborn man he is, I know he really quit just to prove he could. I was a lot younger then and have since learned that the surest way to make sure my husband does something, is to tell him not to. LOL

I readily and openly admit to having a bias against smoking. I grew up in a house full of smokers. Both parents and my 2 much older sisters. I had ear infections all the time when I was little, and that has been connected by some studies to exposure to smoking. And while I was a healthy kid, I developed severe allergies and asthma when I was 19 or 20 that more than one medical professional has suggested was likely caused by near 18 years of exposure to the smoke. However, my bias has virtually nothing to do with my personal, physical consequences of my family's choices to smoke. Instead, it stems from the grief I have endured as a result of the loss of all but one of those family members. I was 2 months shy of my 18th birthday when my mother died due to a case of pneumonia. Now, smoking does not cause pneumonia, but I have no doubt at all that she would have had a much better chance of fighting it off and surviving it if she hadn't had lungs already damaged and weakened by cigarettes. Then, 3 years later, my father died. He had quit smoking, but it was apparently too little, too late. He died from pulmonary scarring. The smoking likely didn't cause all of it, but it certainly didn't help the situation at all. Lastly, my sister died from lung cancer at the ripe old age of 43. (My mother was barely 50 when she died and my father, 63 at the time of his death.) Now, aside from my sister, I don't think smoking can be solely blamed for all these deaths. But I believe it played a role in them. In the end, smoking, like so many other things in life, is a personal issue and something that is only between the smoker and God. I don't get into the faces of smokers, though I do really wish some of them would have enough consideration for others to no stand in clumps outside building entrances emitting a cloud of smoke. I did tell my sister-in-law once that I really wished she would quit for the sake of her children. Only once and I was crying when I said it because God had laid it on my heart to let her know I cared and didn't want to see her or her family go through the grief of her getting sick or possibly dying. She accepted what I said, but still smokes to this day. Her choice and I'm not going to "preach" at her about it. I completely agree with many of the other posters that have said God will deal with smoking in His time. If He's ready for one of His children to stop smoking (or any other bad habit) He'll let them know and He'll give them whatever strength they need to kick that habit. Trying to shame or bully smokers into quitting doesn't work. It just makes people mad. We all have to trust God and be open to His leading and willing to act on His leading and in His time.

Hubby reminded me last night, when I mentioned this thread, of a story I know he'd told me before but I'd forgotten about. He said he usually tried to run when he knew his mama was gonna smack him with something. Said one time he actually climbed a tree to get away from her. He said she was standing beneath him with a broom telling him he better get down there. He said he'd never come down, which she of course knew wasn't true. Said she went back in the house and went about her business and he finally got down, then got his rear end warmed for whatever he'd done in the first place, plus some extra for running. Boy, he was a stubborn kid. Still is a stubborn man. LOL His mama told me years ago that the best way to get him - or his daddy for that matter - to do something was to tell them not to.

I'm sure it's popped out of my mouth a few times, though if it does, I usually retract it and point out that I don't actually believe in luck. Mostly, I try to just wish people well, tell them I hope God blesses them, offer encouragement as needed, etc.