Шарон

I'm not a mother, but I was homeschooled myself. My personal experience as an adult out in the 'real world' and having only been home-educated has been a positive one. I am actually self-employed and run two small businesses. I'm in contact with my clients every day, and every one of them have been thoroughly impressed with me and are always surprised to find that I was homeschooled. That usually makes them more impressed. ...My brother (he and all of my siblings were homeschooled as well) was always praised because of his strong work ethic, knowledge, and skills. My 18-year-old niece, who too was homeschooled, is constantly being praised by her boss and fellow employees because of her professionalism, skills, and complete competence. When homeschoolers are given a chance in the workforce, the vast majority almost always prove successful and impressive. They often end up the favorite employee. Obviously, this isn't always the case, but for the most part, yes. No matter how one learns (and we all learn differently), a more one-on-one teacher/student experience is almost always going to prove most beneficial.

Personally, I think the whole thing is hilarious. ...You know, the guy could have walked into a bank or school and shot up a bunch of people, but he didn't. Instead, he flew his homemade gyrocopter to D.C. and landed on the Capitol lawn. Lol. AND without getting shot down. ...Impressive.

People will talk. People will always talk. ...Remember this. Unfortunately this is something you and everyone else in the world who chooses to have friendships will deal with at some point or another. It's sad, but it happens. I'm sorry you've experienced this. I have a male friend who has experienced being talked and gossiped about behind his back on numerous occasions and was, unsurprisingly, quite hurt each time it happened. He always came to me for comforting and knew I'd lend an ear for him to vent. ...Each time I always reminded him of a particular downfall he has that is ultimately responsible for the unfortunate gossiping that often surrounds him, and that is his 'open' nature. Where being an open person who wears their heart on their sleeve can be a wonderful trait, it also has its drawbacks...and one of those drawbacks is that when you open up yourself to people you run a great risk of setting yourself up for ridicule, even if it's completely false. ...Again, people will talk. People can be very mean spirited. All people. Even you and me. So think twice before you share information about yourself, even if you're sharing it with your dearest and closest friend, because no matter how innocent the information is, it could very well come back to haunt you. Be sure that you want to take that risk. Now, I'm not saying that you're a very open person who easily confides in those you're friends with and all that, but the ^above is something to consider. I would never advise someone to be, like, say...me for example, because I'm the complete opposite being extremely private and rather closed off. That trait too has it's ups and downs. You should speak to your friend about the offense they've caused, assuming you haven't already done so. Because keeping silent and allowing the issue to brood won't do any good. So either you let it go and move on, or you talk to your friend and clear the air. There's a good chance your friend might not think they've done any wrong, and that'll make the situation much harder to deal with, but that's an outcome you need to be prepared for. Also, the Bible says that in this world offenses are going to come', but also states for us to be of good cheer, because Christ has overcome the world and all the offenses it brings. My point? ...This will pass. And with it will pass the pain you're feeling, but only if you choose to listen to that scripture and allow God to rule in your heart to help you forgive your friend and let this issue go.

Could I be given access in as well by any chance?

Where I loved Jeb Bush as governor of Florida, I'm not crazy about the idea of him being president. I think he has the experience for it, but unfortunately he's lost a lot of my respect for backing Common Core.

Sure. I've done it once before and I wouldn't mind doing it again next time I feel like having short hair.

I understand. Perhaps you're right. But I don't really understand whether or not you're agreeing with me or not in that I don't believe celibacy is a 'gift. Lol... Anyway. Whether my way of looking at it is wrong or not, I still can't see how celibacy would be a gift. It's a choice. Let my clarify, I don't view choosing to be permanently celibate as a bad choice though.

I believe permanent celibacy is a choice. This has always been my personal view of it. It doesn't make sense to me that abstaining from sex would be a 'gift', even if it was for the most heavenly of reasons. I abstain from drinking, which is something that I choose to do...so does my abstinence in drinking make that abstinence a 'gift'? I don't think so. There's a lot of 'gifts' floating around if this is the case.

This. I agree. I do believe there is a lot of demonic influence when it comes to sexual addictions. But addictions such as smoking, drinking coffee (I'm guilty!), gluttony, drinking, ect...no. Sinful? Like ajchurney said, in overindulgence...yes.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/01/14/alinea-chef-considers-baby-ban-after-guests-bring-infant-to-upscale-restaurant/?intcmp=features . Okay, well, there's your problem right there. If one has to 'pay upfront' when making a reservation at a cost of $200+ and without the possibility of a refund, then that is why this couple brought along their 8-month-old baby. Clearly their plan was not to intentionally annoy and disrupt everyone else's dining experience, - their babysitter canceled at the last minute unexpectedly. I completely agree that babies and young children should be left at home if you're planning on dining at such an expensive restaurant. However! Buddy, you can bet your buns that I would have brought along my baby, too...because there is no way I would be eating that much money due to a no-refund policy. I understand the purpose of such a policy, but bear in mind that having such an inflexible policy, though solving many certain problems, will only cause other problems at the same time.

If I recall correctly, wasn't it God who was ready to completely torch Sodom and Gomorrah and without regard to any righteous who might still be living there? It was Lot who went to the Lord and asked for Him to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if Lot was to able find X amount of righteous people among the wickedness. ...Our God is jealous God...and this applies today in all the wickedness that's occurring right now. Remember, "He will not spare in the day of vengeance." And nobody is 'blaming' God about all the horrible things that have happened in recent years. To blame is to suggest that something has gone terribly wrong at the hands of something or someone who has made a grave mistake. God doesn't make mistakes. When something, such as Florida's terrible hurricane season of 2004, happens and seemingly out of the blue at that, I do think it's only appropriate to pause and consider. Could this be the Lord's will? Is He trying to get our attention? ...The answer to that is, in my opinion, yes. I do believe He is trying to get our attention. Can we say without a shadow of a doubt that that tsunami was directly from God to 'persecute'? No, not really. And no one is saying that it is, but merely keeping an open mind in knowing that it is a good possibility. But you yourself seem convinced that it is not persecution merely by the fact that nothing 'happened' to the president/secretary of state... like they specifically were supposed to be the only ones persecuted. ...Remember the story of Achan? It was Achan's sin. Only his. He and he alone kept that pile forbidden loot and hid it. Remember what resulted in his 'secret sin'? ...All of a sudden Joshua's men kept getting defeated in battle, and all these things were happening. They were suffering. They were being persecuted. But why? They had done nothing wrong. So God finally enlightens Joshua to the fact that someone in his camp had sinned, and eventually Joshua found out Achan. In the end not only was Achan stoned to death, but his whole family was stoned as well. "When there is sin in the camp, the whole camp suffers." ...Not just the one who has committed the sin.

Coming? It's been coming for a long time. I believe %100 percent that the hurricane season of 2004 for us here in Florida was apart of it.

I'm assuming you're a Christian. If that's the case then your first problem is not your boyfriend's drinking and getting drunk, but rather your dating a man who is an unbeliever. You are what the Bible calls 'unequally yolked'. This is not a spiritually healthy thing for you. I know this is a difficult and perhaps hurtful thing to hear, but the best thing for you would be to end the relationship with this man. Your basis for this is the fact that you are indeed unequally yolked. Maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal in your mind, especially since Christians dating non-Christians is so...rampant these days, but it's a big deal to God. I feel an uneasiness after reading your posts. I just do. I honestly sense disaster with the relationship. ...Is your boyfriend this awful person? I wouldn't know. For all I do know he's the kindest person in world. This is irrelevant however. Your feeling of awkwardness and not fitting in, that uncomfortable sensation you experience is not just random, and it certainly should not be brushed off. Those are the feelings your experiencing due to your being unequally yolked. That's why things are not seeming to 'gel' between y'all. And have you considered the fact that perhaps your boyfriend could be developing a drinking problem? You seem to think yourself that drinking/getting drunk tends to help him loosen up and be more open, suggesting that he's probably an insecure person (or maybe he is just introverted as you say - I understand this all too well). So, if indeed he is insecure...handling one's insecurity with alcohol will only make things far worse. You become dependent on it. ...Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family, and for several generations, too. I know how it destroys, I've witnessed it. My own father used to be an alcoholic before he came to know Christ as his savior. So I greatly caution you about choosing someone who is a drinker. Look. I don't even know how old you both are, or even if this is y'all's first relationship. From one believer to another, I simply suggest that you examine yourself, your relationship with Christ, and seek Him about what you should do, though...I think it's fairly clear what it is you need to do. Please reconsider this relationship. ...I'm sorry if this comes off as unfeeling. I don't want it to be. But I speak what I believe is the truth, and the truth isn't always easy to hear.

Yes, God's Word plainly states..."By their fruits you will know them." ...And thus, we are indeed allowed to judge a person 'by their fruits', whether they be good or bad. For me personally, I see no evidence of any spiritual fruit in Obama's life. None. In fact, it seems this status grows worse and worse by each day with all the shenanigans that are at work under his administration (not that corruption didn't exist with other presidents, mind you, it certainly did). So no, I don't believe the man is a born again Christian.

I do. And honestly, I'm almost convinced I've sensed a trace of 'sarcasm' in some of Jesus's words. Perhaps to the Pharisees at some point. But perhaps it's just the way I'm interpreting the passage. But in any case, I do believe He has a sense of humor.

I'm all for less government, so I think we have plenty of Reps as it is, in fact...too many.

Hmm. Yes. I fear that this might be happening with my former pastor. I no longer attend that church, which was a very difficult change as it was my original home church that I grew up in, though the current pastor and one that I speak of was not my 'original' pastor. He is a very proud man, and has admitted to this himself. But I feel that it's progressing...and in the way that you're speaking of. As for the OP, I too believe it is in reference to what the Bible talks about concerning 'false prophets'.

I still can't get passed the 'three' tiny beds for the entire Canadian hockey team. ...Really, Sochi? Really? Perhaps I'm wrong, but I've been under the impression that each country who is selected (or chooses or how ever it comes about) to host the Olympics has all four years in advance to properly prepare themselves for the games and the athletes, which would naturally include where the athletes are to stay during the games. Four years. F.O.U.R. years. Not one...not two...not even three. But FOUR years. Was it really that difficult to construct adequate housing for the athletes? Nobody is saying that each and every athlete needs their own private Presidential suite here. But this? ...Wow. You know, I wouldn't be the least surprised if they spent the better part of those four years (or whatever exact amount of time they had - perhaps it is less than four years) solely on where the games are held and their own opening presentation...after all, this is Russia, and everyone knows that Russia doesn't like to lose or have others 'show them up'. Meanwhile, all the athletes are probably better off sleeping on a park bench. Wait...they do even have park benches in Russia, right? On top of that, do they even have parks?

^ I don't believe that will ever happen. People are too afraid and tolerant of Islam. Why? Because they know they'll get their head sawed off if they go up against it in any way. No, Islam will always be swept under the rug like it isn't happening. “How can we expect fate to let a righteous cause prevail when there is hardly anyone who will give himself up undividedly to a righteous cause?” -Sophie Scholl How true. Hardly anyone has backbone anymore. So no, we (or anyone) would never just 'kill them all and let God sort it out'...it would never happen. I believe Islam will be totally embraced in the end.

I think I literally just felt my blood pressure rising as I read this. I suppose the raping of grown women, teens, and young girls has lost its excitement, so perhaps that's why they've moved on to infants. Think about it, it would be a lot easier when, upon discovering a female baby has been 'soiled', to toss her to half starved dogs than it would be for a young child or adult. A very disturbing and ugly image, isn't it? But the truth is often very disturbing and ugly. People go out of their minds with despair over the issue of AIDS in Africa, poverty, intolerant Christians, racism, blah-blah-blah.....but where are the cries for these women and children in the middle east? No where. Silence. Where I, as a Christian, would be labeled as hateful, intolerant, holier-than-thou, racist, and Lord knows what else, - these absolutely murderous and barbaric Muslim men are praised up and down. Sounds like something that would be straight out of a horrific science-fiction movie, not real life.

I agree with what you're saying, but mentioning 'Jesus Christ' on live television (in a 'praise' sense) is too offensive apparently to those who either are A) are not believers, and B) have no backbone being too afraid to Praise Jesus's name in public. Very sad.

^ Smear campaign? Quite possibly (not that I condone smear campaigns, I certainly do not). Though I don't believe it's far from the truth, after all, Hilary (in recent years) has proved that herself time and time again.

This.

I, too, was thinking Hitler and Stalin for the quotes.....how interesting, yet not shocking.

'We Believe' by Steve Green. ...Probably the most moving words to any Christian song. It gives me chills and chokes me up every time.