Rare Bird

Not as of today. http://www.foxnews.c...union-fee-hike/

Quote Rare Bird Things I know about sheep: Sheep aren't burden-bearing animals Sheep cannot be at rest/sleep unless they are laying down Sheep can distinguish the voice/call of their shepherd from other shepherds Sheep like to wander off When held for sheering, they don't make a sound Preach it brother! That's why I brought 'em up.

Awesome. The simple fact that those who are lost cannot reconcile or accept historical facts and scripture about Jesus only further illustrates what an unearned, unmerited GIFT salvation truly is to those who've been called.

RE: "This might include things like being told you can't have a lunch break, can't eat at your desk, etc., "you'll just have to eat before you come on your 8 hour shift." There's a saying about employment that rings true no matter who are where you are on the corporate ladder: "Hired for what you know; Fired for who you are." Essentially, if they don't like you (for whatever reason) they will build a case and fire you--whether it's for the reason you stated, or something else in order to release them from legal liability (i.e., wrongful termination). Without knowing your role in the company and other things about your company, it's difficult to offer advice beyond that what is considered general. So here goes: (also, I am not a lawyer or an HR professional, but I do know a thing or two about dealing with donkey companies and bosses.) By law, you should've received a company handbook which you read, understood and signed, and retained a copy of. This will detail the amount of breaks and what types an employee is allowed to by law, as well as the company's own discretion. If you don't have a copy of this, I urge you to get one and read/understand what it's policies are, as this will establish legal grounds--both yours and the company's. When you ask for a copy (if you don't have one already), do it in a way that will not draw attention to your dilemma. If HR asks why you need it, just say you never received a copy, or that you lost the original copy and that it's important for you to review so that you can be as productive as possible. (NOTE: Human Resources is NOT your friend, so don't give them any additional information and minimize your contact with them. They are accountable to the boss, not you, and there job is to a) keep the company staffed; and b) minimize the risk of lawsuits. So be careful what you say to them.) Do you have periodic reviews with your supervisor? If so, this would be a time to bring up your question(s) about the policy in question. You've got to be as gentle as a dove here, yet cunning as a fox when having this discussion so you don't appear to be bucking authority or "rocking the boat". Also during these reviews, your supervisor should present a formal, documented summary of what was discussed, and, of which you will have to sign. Here's the important part: DON'T SIGN IT IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH IT'S CONTENT. IF YOU SIGN IT WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING AND AGREEING WITH WHAT YOUR SUPERVISOR SAYS ABOUT YOU, YOU ARE CONCEDING TO WHATEVER FOLLOWING ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. However, if the company presses you to sign it for "legal purposes" (or whatever term they use), then you will need to refute each item carefully and thoroughly, attaching your addendum, so that there is no question about why you disagree with the review item(s). This will give you legal recourse if you are terminated or suffer continued abuse, based on the item(s) outlined in your review, and/or how they apply to company policies. And here's the most important part: DOCUMENT. DOCUMENT. DOCUMENT. Document anything/everything that is contrary to legal and company policies, and the times and dates they occur. If you have a job where you use e-mail, keep your own private copies of all related communication. This is what is commonly referred to as CYA. ("cover your arse"). It's also good to have statement in your e-mails that say things like, "...I just want to do what's best for the company." and "...be as productive as I can." As for OSHA (or other legal entity), yes, you could involve them now. But sooner or later, your name will appear in the investigation and it's usually sooner than what you'd prefer. And typically, you don't want to escalate to an authority without first doing you due diligence to resolve an issue. Of course, everything I just said will depend on badly you need to keep this job in relation to your current standing at the company. So use whatever is of value in the way you see fit, doing it in all humility and with good intentions. Also make sure you know your rights at the Federal and State levels. Here's a link to some information that might be of help: http://www.las-elc.o...ets/breaks.html Of course, continue praying about the situation and remember that God is in control of everything that's happening for His sovereign purposes. We are to obey and persevere in order to bring Him glory, no matter our circumstances. I'll be praying for you too. ;-) P.S. I just thought of this...if you never received an Employee Handbook, or signed a document saying that you read/understand the company's policies (i.e., Employee Handbook), and they do end up firing you because of something in the handbook, you now have grounds for a lawsuit. Now...Whether or not you want to take the time and effort of a stressful lawsuit like this is a whole 'nother matter.

Things I know about sheep: Sheep aren't burden-bearing animals Sheep cannot be at rest/sleep unless they are laying down Sheep can distinguish the voice/call of their shepherd from other shepherds Sheep like to wander off When held for sheering, they don't make a sound Other facts: You can get about 8 pounds of wool from a sheep in one season ...and, the most important one in my book: The young ones TASTE DELICIOUS when roasted with garlic and rosemary and served with mint jelly! In closing, I'd like to recite my favorite sheep poem... "Bah... Ram... Ewe... To your breed, your fleece, your stock be true. Sheep be true. Bah... Ram... Ewe... Bah... Ram... Ewe... Bah... Ram... Ewe... To your breed, your fleece, your stock be true. Sheep be true." ~ Ma (from the movie, Babe)

Absolutely. You can't have it one way, otherwise it ceases to be FREE speech. And that's the beauty of it and why our founding fathers understood that without free speech the seedbed of tyranny is laid, giving way to oppression and control of the people. If you limit speech on one side--or pick and choose what people can or cannot say--you are limiting their freedom and their liberty; reducing their human rights and giving those who are in power control over your life--as is the case with countries or entities who limit free speech. I hear (and see) things that I don't like all the time. What do I do? I tune it out, ignore it and continue to exercise MY free speech in opposing what I don't like--because I understand that if you limit the speech of one group, it will also must be applied to other groups as well. This is why I have opposed the Patriot Act after the attack of 9/11. Historically, governments use such threats as the means by which to enslave the people. It looks good on the surface, but it only gives way to more insidious regulations and laws that chip away at our very freedoms (i.e., National Defense and Authorization Act; which thank God, is experiencing push back from the judicial branch.) As Benjamin Franklin put it: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither, and lose both." He was speaking from experience. Evil prevails when good men stand idly by...and it is at this point where free countries (like the US) stand on a treacherous precipice, teetering on the verse of oppression--due much in part to apathy, complacency and ignorance and failing to exercise their free speech rights. And why the 2nd Amendment is so very important. Take away the 2nd Amendment and there is no more defense of the 1st.

I'm for free speech no matter the context (except when it endangers lives, such as the case in which you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater). And I fully support that right (e.g., The 1st Amendment) with the 2nd Amendment--the right to keep and bare and arms.

“The female mind is capable of understanding analytic geometry... The difficulty may just be that we have never yet discovered a way to communicate with the female mind. If it is done in the right way, you may be able to get something out of it.” ~Richard Feynman, physicist Don't think you have to solve a problem. Just let her know you're there for her and leave her to her own devices. Oh, and the most important part? Chocolate. Make sure there is lots and lots of chocolate in the house.

Further elaborating, one must understand that there are three parts to salvation (by "parts" I do not mean that there are "steps" to becoming "saved", but rather, that it is a process): Justification... declares believers righteous when they repent and believe on Jesus (i.e., our passport to Heaven is stamped free of charge) Romans 5:8-9..11 Santification... is the struggle between our sinful nature and that of the Spirit. It is during this time while on earth that we mature and reap heavenly rewards in order to receive the inheritance as an "adopted son." Romans 7:14-8:5; 1 Cor 3:11-15 and 2 Cor 5:10 Glorification... is the separation of sin from our flesh when we are given a new body in Heaven. Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colassians 3:1-4 During the time sanctification--while the believer remains on earth in a flesh-covered, sinful body--is when a believer matures in the Spirit. And just like a child growing up, their are growth pains and a good share of "falling down" and "touching hot stoves." It's also during this time--and maturing process--that sin now becomes a choice as we are no longer in bondage to it; and because we are human, we do fail. Just as the apostle Paul did. So no. Christians aren't "perfect" from a temporal, earthly perspective. But they ARE justified in the eyes of God through Christ Jesus and it is up to us to confess our sins in order to maintain a relationship and cleansing (1 John 1:9) that will help us press on to the prize (Phil 3:12-15). The ticket to heaven was bought and paid for at Calvary--all one has to do is accept it. Then, after it's accepted, it's up to the believer to mature (or not, as is the case with "carnal (or earthly-minded) Christians"), which will determine his/her rewards in heaven.

Further elaborating, one must understand that salvation consists of three elements (NOTE: I am NOT saying these are "Steps" to salvation, but rather, a PROCESS that believers experience and should endure as their Christian walk continues here on earth): Justification... declares believers righteous when they repent and believe on Jesus (i.e., our passport to Heaven is stamped free of charge) Romans 5:8-9..11 Santification... is the struggle between our sinful nature and that of the Spirit. It is during this time while on earth that we mature and reap heavenly rewards in order to receive the inheritance as an "adopted son." Romans 7:14-8:5; 1 Cor 3:11-15 and 2 Cor 5:10 Glorification... is the separation of sin from our flesh when we are given a new body in Heaven. Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colassians 3:1-4 During the time sanctification--while the believer remains on earth in a flesh-covered, sinful body--is when a believer matures in the Spirit. And just like a child growing up, their are growth pains and a good share of "falling down" and "touching hot stoves." It's also during this time--and maturing process--that sin now becomes a choice as we are no longer in bondage to it; and because we are human, we do fail. Just as the apostle Paul did. So no. Christians aren't perfect in terms of what the temporal world considers "perfect." But they are justified in the eyes of God through Christ Jesus and it is up to us to confess our sins in order to maintain a relationship and cleansing (1 John 1:9) that will help us press on to the prize (Phil 3:12-15). The ticket to heaven was bought and paid for at Calvary--all one has to do is accept it. Then, after it's accepted, it's up to the believer to mature (or not), which will determine his/her rewards in heaven. 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I [Paul] am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. ~ Romans 7:14-25

The first-glance difference between Judas Iscariot and the peeps mentioned above is that Jesus raised them in a timely manner, while Judas was a betrayer from the get go and his fate sealed before he even came on the scene. And there may be exceptions to the general rule--or maybe not. I've come to understand that when there appears to be a contradiction in scripture, it only means one has to dig deeper to reconcile the cited verses. However, and mostly because this topic has digressed into nothing more than speculation at this point (i.e., Judas as the son of perdition et al.), I simply don't believe my time and effort to look this difference would be very edifying. Please understand. I am not dismissing JohnDB's point entirely as it is worthy of closer inspection--just not by me and not at the current time, as my time in scripture is being occupied with an in-depth study of Romans at present. Charis and Shalom y'all, Suzanne P.S. Scott Walker Wins TWICE in one election! Woot, woot, woot! ;-)

"And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." Hebrews 9:27

We can't know the day and hour, but we can know the season. I look at the state of the (Laodicean) church; the push for a unified, global religion; global economic collapse; obscured borders (i.e., North America, specifically between North and South America and Canada); the nibbling away of the US' rights guaranteed in the Constitution--with the 1st Amendment in the crosshairs right now; secular humanism replacing Judeo-Christian values; and of course, Israel and the surrounding nations . . . notwithstanding natural and astronomical events and calamities ever increasing . . . Based on scripture and prophecy and the re-birth of Israel as a nation, I believe we have less time than majority of folks think, with the end of this age coming about on or before (I go with way before) 2030. But above all, I am doing my best to get my spiritual house in order. What will be, will be and I know that I'm in good hands--and it's NOT with Allstate. ;-)

I heard/read somewhere that the Star of David is a more-recent political symbol political used in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. And if I'm not mistaken, the menorah is actually the identifying symbol/seal for ancient Israel with artifacts to support this fact found just recently. Anywho, here's some more topical fodder to review at your leisure: http://israelmatzav....-david-and.html

Dani, My heart aches for you. I know trials and experiences here can seem like they are dragging on forever, as we see no immediate change after weeks, months, years of praying (and crying). Believe me, I am a poster child for spiritual meltdowns in the midst of a trial, but He always gives me grace and forgivness to endure. And like His mercies are new every morning, so is my Spirit renewed in order to continue in His will. However, and I'm sure you already know, this is what God uses to sanctify us to make us more like Him so that we can mature in our faith. I try to keep this in mind during what seems to be an endless trial that I've been dealing with, but I do get glimpses of God's love and provisions, and His grace to keep on keeping on. One thing I've learned is that God's solution is not an "all-at-once unveiling after we've paid our dues and have waited in line to see a grand finale," but rather, a slow, almost undetectable unfolding that's designed to keep us clinging to Him the entire time. It's only when we look back that we see His handiwork in our lives. Things never work out like we expect them to, and that due to the greatest of God and how He can turns complete messes into instruments of glory. So continue praying and forgiving and clinging. It IS making a difference. You just don't see it yet. Of course I don't understand all the nuances of your family and relationships, but is there any way you or your husband can "tune out" some of the unproductive noise and distractions you're receiving from those around you? I've learned that immediately reacting to situations only causes needless stress and wastes a lot of time and effort, as things do have a tendency to work themselves out. So if possible, ask yourself, "Is it really important that I respond to this NOW?...or, at all...or can I respond to this tomorrow? You can only be responsible for your own behavior and not the behavior of others. Perhaps you are taking on burdens that you shouldn't even be attempting to carry? Just things to think about. Again, tell it all to Jesus and tell Him how you feel. Then be still and know that He is God. You'll get answers in ways you've never expected. I hope this has encouraged you, if at all even slightly. If this didn't help, go read the latter half of Romans 8. I will pray for you. RB

Here's a running list of attacks made by the religion on "peace", in addition to all sorts of stories the lame-stream media fails to keep us updated on:

...continuing further in James 2, [21] "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? [22] You see that faith was WORKING WITH HIS WORKS [emphasis mine], and as a result of the works, faith was perfected (e.g., made complete)." Faith is demonstrated by our works (or fruit). If you look throughout the history of Israel, the digression from God into sin (and the need for God to afflict His "wife" to bring about repentance) always began by not staying in the word. Some scriptures that support our need to stay in the word in order to be cleansed: "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." ~John 15:3-4 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word." ~Psalm 119:9 "This is my comfort in my affliction: That your word has revived me." ~Psalm 119:50 "...so that He might sanctify her (Oooo! Santify!) having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." ~Ephesians 5:26 "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a find of first fruits among His creatures." ~James 1:18 "...for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God." ~1 Peter 1:23

YES. scripture is SCREAMING at me that we are in the midst of the Epistle to Laodicea, and calling those who profess Him that time is short--calling to those who are strong to strengthen what remains, and calling what I call "hokey-pokey" dancers (those with one foot in and one foot out the church) to repent and return to Him fully. Jesus is either Lord of your life or not. YOu can't be "half alive". There's no room tepidity. Make a choice and be a doer of the word, not a hearer only. I recently finished a study of Jeremiah and the parallels between Israel's coming destruction and what we are on the cusp of as a nation, as a world, are uncanny. But God always gives warning, however it won't last forever. It's up to us (the church, the body) to be in tune with His word to be able to pick up on it and know what the Spirit is saying. It a shame when I see some in the church more concerned with temporal things than on the heavenly, and I like Jeremiah--at the risk of too becoming prey (Isaiah 59:15)--want to shout, "Wake up! Turn back to God with a heart that's fully His." "...For the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it. (~Jeremiah 6:10) With our Bill of Rights being chipped away to just a stub--with the 1st Amendment in the crosshairs--and the world economy on the verge of collapse (if not already but we just haven't been told yet)--times are only going to become more perilous for the church. Then this verse keeps rolling around in my head, a call to strengthen MY walk and MY faith: "How do expect you to run with the horses if you can't even keep up with footmen? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?" (~Jeremiah 12:5) Granted, Jeremiah is about Judah's fall to Babylon, but God, because He writes history, tends to use similar scenarios to bring about repentance and/or judgement. And judgement begins in the House of God. Then I read again the "woes" in Isaiah 5 that speak of Israel's lack of fruitfulness; focus on materialism and prosperity; desire of filling their appetites rather than the deeds of the Lord; flaunting their sin and parading their disregard of God; emphasis on secular humanism; and the perversion of justice...and I can't help but tremble to see "This is happening right NOW!" So then I recall Habakkuk with similar "woes": ...greed/seeking their own security at the expense of others; violence; causing others to sin to fulfill their own lusts; fashioning their own lifeless "god(s)" to replace the true living God who will judge everyone by the Word, and not what "they" think god is. In all cases cited, as the Lord is speaking to Israel His wife, He too is warning His bride to repent. So yes. Let me be confirm the Spirit is warning to the church. My heart is heavy for repentance and I only long to draw closer to the only One who can save. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor His ear so dull that is cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." ~Isaiah 59:1-2

Amen, and AMEN. I've found that changing my "filter" (i.e., taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~2 Cor 10:5), and by examining myself to see whether I am in the faith on a regular basis (~2 Cor 13:5) keeps the sludge and debris from building up on the "lifters" and gives me the power to do His will, rather than my own. "Tune-ups" are a lot less troublesome and far less costly than a "complete engine overhaul." (vroom, vroom!) To that insight, I was reading Philippians yesterday and took note special note of this: 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For MANY [emphasis mine] walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that THEY are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is: - destruction - whose god is their appetite, and - whose glory is in their shame, - who set their minds on earthly things. 20 [but]...OUR citizenship is in heaven, from which also WE EAGERLY WAIT FOR A SAVIOR, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. ~Philippians 3:17-21 Eagerly awaiting in a humble state, ~RB

Hmmmm...I've thought about it but rather, think about all the different scenarios because believers are found around the globe/in different time zones. Then I wonder, "What will I HEAR when I'm called home?" (apologizing in advance for this tangent...) I have a feeling I'm going to hear my name (John 10:3; John 5:28; John 11:43), while those who are not in Christ will hear a sound that makes them tremble (Exodus 19:16-19; Hebrews 12:18-19): John 10:3 It is to him the gatekeeper opens the gate, and it is his voice the sheep hear. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 5:28 "Don't be amazed at this, because the time is approaching when everyone in their graves will hear the Son of Man's voice . . ." John 11:43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “LAZARUS, come forth.” Exo 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day, as the morning drew nigh, there were voices and lightnings and a dark cloud on Mount Sinai. The voice of the trumpet sounded loud, and all the people in the camp trembled. Rev 1:10 I came to be in the Spirit on the Day of the Lord, when I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet. . . 1 Thes 4:16 With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Hi, Girl! Actually, my translation states: "to deceive the elect--if that were possible." Jesus says it is impossible to deceive the elect. Praise God! In the faith, Eleanor Hey Elanor! I've been defaulting to the ISV Bible as of late for readability. I use e-sword and parallel the ISV with the KJV and the ESV, and in most cases, I just prefer how the ISV reads So maybe I will use a different translation when posting in the forum(s). I am on the same page with you, though. My goal was to express that in toward the end, some of what Believers believe, will be called into question. I did not intend what I said to be taken as that we WOULD be deceived, but rather, was trying to iterate how important is to know what you believe and why you believe it. I run into many believers who when asked about why they believe what they believe, struggle with an answer, or have difficulty to know where to look for it. (Please note: I'm referring to exegeting scripture, not "heart" faith--that's for another discussion which I have no interest in exacerbating here and now.) We are to study to be a workman approved, so that we are not ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15). And as Paul states in the next chapter: . . . But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim. 3-13) It's just important to stay in the Word and know truth because as we see already, the heat is getting turned up on Christianity. . . . but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. ~1 Peter 3:15-16 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. ~Psalm 119:42

So sorry. The "yes and no" part threw me off. Please forgive me.

Know your Bible, people--inside and out, backward and forward, and have a firm foundation in the faith. Jesus even warned that some of ELECT will be mislead. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. ~Matthew 24:24 And if you look through history, persecution always has roots WITHIN the church/religious establishment itself--not in the world. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ~1 Peter 4:17

The answer is not "yes and no." If you look at the entire context of the excerpt of scripture you cited, you'll see if you read the entire chapter, verse 10 states: ". . . And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Now continue reading, and verse 15 says that " . . . anyone not found in the written in the Book of Life [is] cast into the lake of fire." Question: So if the devil and the false prophet and in the the lake of fire and they are tormented day and night forever and ever (v15), how will anyone else who is judged and cast into the lake of fire (v10) NOT be tormented forever and ever? Answer: The text would indicate that anyone not found in the Book of Life IS going to suffer eternal torment. Just making sure scripture is being properly exegeted. Additionally, let's all remember that the primary reason for the gospel and salvation is not to avoid hell, but rather to free ourselves from the bondage of sin. Eternal life in heaven (or hell) is merely the result of accepting the free gift.

Mark 9:43-48: If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Greek: asbestos (unquenchable) 1) unquenched, unquenchable a) of eternal hell fire to punish the damned Greek: teleutaō (die i.e., "worm does not die") 1) to finish, bring to and end, close 2) to have an end or close, come to an end Scripture indicates very clearly that it is.