blue gem

Its the poodle I feel sorry for! Talk about flight or fight.

I was thinking about this myself a while ago and I think the difference is freedom versus bondage and the way times have changed. As a young christian growing up, people use to think Christians were the ones in bondage due to all the do's and don'ts and everyone else had freedom. But I see this as the complete opposite, as without moral guidelines and God's standards for living, people create bondgage for themselves. A good parent sets boundaries for their children to keep them from harm. There was a time when standards were set even among non Christians, everyone knew where they stood and everyone knew right from wrong - regardless of whether they actually decided to do what was right. As onelight said, you could keep your doors unlocked etc. The world now seems to be a place where anything goes, where people decide for themselves what the moral standards are. The result is people in bondage to drugs, alcohol, debt (wow I saw an advert on TV recently for loans were the repayment interest was 700%). Not to mention in bondage due to poor morality. Everywhere you go, God's standards have been broken in the name of freedom and a desire to do as one pleases. Everywhere you go there are people in despair, wondering how they got in such a mess and with no idea how to get out of their difficulties. Even in schools and society generally what was once wrong, is spoken about as if it is right and normal, while people who take a moral stand are shouted down as bigots and accused of discrimination. In an effort to gain freedom, the moral compass seems to have swung completely the opposite direction and more are in bondage than ever before to so many awful things with all of their consequences. It's no wonder Satan is described as the prince of this world as he seeks to destroy and corrupt everything God created. But there is hope, God is still on His throne, people are still being set free, difficult situations are being completely turned around under God's hand of grace. We can still cry out Abba Father. As an example many churches in the City where I live (all Christian but various denominations, which is a miracle in and of itself), have come together over the years and there are so many amazing things going on - Teen Challenge where people on drugs are reached with the gospel and set free from addictions, this links up with two safe houses where people can go to live for a while until they come off the drugs, with medical staff councillors etc, all within a Christian environment. A nationally recoginised charity set up and run with the support of the churches for homeless people and people in despair. Street Angels set up, where volunteers from various churches patrol the streets along with the Police, on Friday and Saturday nights to keep vulnerable people who are seeking a "good time" safe from the effects of their alcoholic endeavours, making sure people get home safely and praying for people on the streets, keeping young women safe especially. Kidz club where bus loads of young people are brought into the church and taught about Christ and have a great fun filled time. Schools requesting the churches to conduct assemblies and run their after school clubs due to the good reports and feedback they are getting. So while it may seem the devil is having his way, God still reigns, the message of the gospel is still getting through, people are still being set free to experience true freedom. Lets not stop fighting back, let us fight even harder to bring light to the lost and real freedom in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17 AMP [16] But whenever a person turns in repentance to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).

Don't think we have yetis in the UK. We do have the beast of Bodmin moor - some sort of large cat. Then there is nessy the Loch Ness monster. Amazing how much money these places make. Umm, hey what an idea. Hey folks there is a big one eyed purple thing in my garden. £5 gate entry fee if you want to see if you can spot him. All conspiracy theories welcome!

Wow, don't suppose you could come across to the UK and speak to network rail for us. All it takes is a few leaves on the lines and our trains stop running.

Iv'e yet ti see one.

I think the most difficult obstacle I have had, is realising just how much God loves me, He showed me this when I was a young person (I have put a brief testimony on my profile page) but its something that I have still have had to learn as I have grown up and I still need to be continually reminded of it day by day in my walk with him. Love overcomes all things, I use to think of God as being this all seeing all knowing critical person in heaven waiting to zap me if I did something wrong and my faith in God was driven by performance and fear. But over the years as I have come to realise GOD IS LOVE, it has changed my perspective on so many things. Love begets love, if someone loves you, you want to return that love, you do things out of a different motive, because you want to, not because you have to. I honesty believe that really understanding this is the key to overcoming so many things in our lives. God bless

Hi Willa I agree entirely on the above. Definately should not give to receive, but from a willingness of heart I think you put it across better then I did. Praise God because he has looked after me both in my poverty and when I have been better off. I remember a time when I was made redundant and it took 8 months to find a job. In the meantime I did some temporary work for a christian charity and then when that work was over I continued to do voluntary work for them without pay while I found another job. When I did get the job I then had to work a month before getting paid but I also had to sign off unemployment benefit so there was very little money left to live on for a month. At one point there was virtually no food left in the house, when out of the blue, a distant family relative turned up with bags of groceries! There was no money to give or tithe but God still provided. On the other hand I have given and done so willingly, not because a pastor made a request and I felt compelled by another person, but because I wanted to and have been happy to do so and have given with joy. It has not always even been to my church, there has been times when I have given to other sources, but I have always found that I cannot outgive God. I've lost track of the number of times I have given, only to receive an unexpected cheque or refund of some description. But then another unexpected need has come up, sometimes my own but often the need of another person and so God has provided for that next need in advance. I've never given to receive, it's just how things have worked out and I can only brag in the Lord for His provision. Though as indicated above when you do receive its not always for your own need, it could be for someone else's.

PPS as Willa has said, the thief also comes to take and destroy and circumstances can happen beyond our control. In such circumstances I would suggest praying in faith that God will restore 7 fold what has been taken Proverbs 6 v 31.

I think the matter of tithing is very personal. I know some people think tithing is correct and that it would be wrong not to and if they feel convicted on this, then it is probably right for that person to tithe. On the other hand some feel tithing was for the OT only and not applicable to the NT. My own personal view is that everything we have comes from God and when it comes to giving, it is not a matter of deciding what amount of your own money you give to God, it is more a matter of how much of God's money does a person keep for themselves. That puts a very different perspective on things. I do believe that if we are open handed, God does fill it! I have seen that so much in my own life, and its not really about how much but its about the heart. God bless

I do actually think man's actions can change God's plans to some degree. Not in the sense that what God sets out to fulfil, wont come about - God knows the beginning from the end. But I do believe it is possible that things can be delayed or that if appointed servants fail to carry out God's plans, then another person will be given the task instead. A biblical example of this is Saul and David. Saul was chosen by God and at first things started off okay but then he failed - see 1 Sam 13 v 13 And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God which He commanded you; for the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue, the Lord had sought out David a man after His own heart and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. Amp Just think, if Saul had continued to obey God, then David would not have been King. Its a sobering thought. Incidentally while David also had his problems, he always took responsibility and repented, while Saul tried to blame others.

Ps giving to others can involve finances, but we can also give with our time, talents, abilities, tools etc. When I did get my new saxophone I said to God that I was not going to hang onto it too tightly as I recognised it as a gift from him. A few months later that was tested when a person who plays the clarinet asked if she could possibly borrow my brand new very expensive soprano saxophone for a few days as she was wondering about getting one herself. Well I remembered what I had prayed to God and I let her borrow it, then about a year after that I let one of the pastors sons borrow it to try it out for a week. (I did have some reservations about that as he was a typical teen). I have since borrowed it to others and I felt it has stopped me from treasuring it too much and helped me to keep things in perspective that we are not to store material treasures up.

Hi, can't answer that one for you, only you can, but I know what you mean. I've had a few similar should I shouldn't I debates with myself over the years. The last time I bought a computer I felt a bit guilty, but then lots of opportunities came my way to use it for church stuff (putting a prayer diary together and prayer sheet, printing out information for others etc etc.) Another big one was that I play the saxophone and got a second hand practically brand new alto sax for a fraction of the price. I played in the worship team, but then the opportunity arose to buy a new soprano saxophone, they are very very very expensive and oh my I almost felt like fainting when I saw the price of the one I wanted. I spent ages trying to decide and felt guilty and wondered if I was being selfish as I had a good instrument already. But then I decided to take the plunge, and asked at a local music store about the one I wanted. They did not stock it (they only had cheap nasty beginners soprano saxophones which sounded awful) but then the store keeper rang me and said he would order it for me and I could come down and try it out with no obligation at all for me to buy it. I really felt God was In that, so when it arrived I went to the shop. Sopranos are notoriously hard to play especially the higher notes, but it played like a dream and I got all the range of notes out of it straight away. I saw that as another sign that it was meant to be. Thirdly the store owner said he would give me £700 off the retail price if I wanted it, so at that point I just knew it was God and I acquired it. Fourthly the sound is different to my other alto sax and it meant I was able to bring more variety in my playing to the worship team, which has been a blessing. I was in the worship team for over ten years but sadly have had to stand down now due to pressures of work and looking after an elderly relative. But I sure there will be other opportunities to play. I think when it comes to money and buying extravagant things, God knows a persons needs and he also knows their desires and what is on their heart. If the heart is in the right place God does bless people with the desires of their heart. We do not worship a cheapskate God! Sometimes people can give the impression that we do, but we worship a God of the immeasurably more. Oh decisions, decisions !!!

Hi I don't know much about biotin though from what I have read on the Internet it is rare for someone to be deficient in the associated Vitiman. If you are concerned though with brittle nails and thinning eyelashes, you might want to have a look at your calcium/diary intake and Vit D. The reason I mention this is that I have a rare auto immune condition called hypoparathyroidism. It's a bit complex but the very basics are that my body can no longer regulate it's calcium/phosphate levels on its own. So I have to take high doses of calcium and Vit D daily on prescription and also ensure I get plenty of diary in my diet. My blood calcium levels were very low and it took a long time to get them any near normal levels (although they still fluctuate). But some of the first things I noticed when my levels, stabilised was how quick my nails and hair grew and how strong my nails became. I have to trim them every week they grow so quick! Possibly it might be genetic but I'm sure my hair also grows quicker now. I've never taken much notice of my eye lashes so can't comment on that aspect. One of the Doctors at the hospital ( before I was diagnosed) told me many women do not get enough calcium in their diet due to radical diets and fear of weight gain, but it's possible to drink semi skinned milk, low fat yoghurts, low fat cheese etc. So if its stronger nails and hair you are after you might want to look at you calcium intake, check out the recommended adult daily requirement and see if you are getting enough. Not sure if this helps. x

On the question of water baptism. This is not necessary to be saved, but it is an outward testimony both to God and man. I also think that getting baptised is a very humbling experience, many people refuse to go through water baptism due to fear of what others will think, fear of others finding out they are christians, fear that they will look silly etc. fear of nailing their colours to the mast etc. For me it was fear of water, I couldn't swim at the time and was terrified of drowning but it kept niggling at me and I was convicted in my spirit that I just had to do it. So I went and and got dunked and had my water baptism (after practicing a few times myself in the bath). All I can say is that it was an amazing experience afterwards, I knew it was the right thing to do and I knew that I had pleased God. For people who refuse to go through a water baptism all I can say it that they are missing out on something very special. So prayer about it and take your fears to God.

Ephesians 2 v 8 Ephesians 2:8-10 AMP [8] For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through your faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves of your own doing, it came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God; [9] Not because of works not the fulfillment of the Law's demands, lest any man should boast. It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself. [10] For we are God's own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. Isaiah 64:6 AMP [6] For we have all become like one who is unclean ceremonially, like a leper, and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away far from God's favor, hurrying us toward destruction. The question was - what is the bare minimum - the verses about the thief on the cross demonstrate that. He recognised he was guilty and had done wrong. He knew Jesus had done nothing wrong He knew Jesus was going to his kingdom and therefore that he was a king not just a mere man. The sign above the cross said king of the Jews to mock Jesus but the criminal on the cross knew it was the truth. He "prayed" and while he might not have said a traditional sinners prayer, the same intent and heart was there. Jesus forgive him and gave him assurances of salvation. As for the rest of us. If we truly are born again, then we will have a desire to serve God and walk out our faith. Not because our actions save us, but because he first loved us and gave everything for us. That's not to say we won't get it wrong at times or fall into temptation. But we have a witness the Holy Spirit who niggles us when we do something wrong and we should always keep short accounts with God when we do something wrong, Not that even keeping short accounts will save us, christ has already achieved the victory for us on the cross. If however a person lives and does what they please and uses the saving grace of Christ to excuse this and do whatever they want, then maybe they were not really born again and maybe their heart was not truely repentant. But it is not for us to say who is saved and who is not. Only God truly knows a persons heart. I suspect there will be a lot of surprises in the next life. People we thought were saved might not be there and people who we were certain could not possibly be saved, may well be with Jesus in paradise. But praise God we are not called to be the judge of all mankind. A question for you, what do think happened to people before the 10 commandments were given? They were given as a bare minimum to set out the standards expected by God due to the sin of men. But prior to the 10 commandments what happened? Do you think people were saved by grace or by obeying a set of commandments not yet given out. Interesting questions and I'm sure it will trigger even more debate. But it's good to dig deep and consider these things so thanks for the questions and the thread.

Luke 23 v 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him saying "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us". But the other answering rebuked him saying "Do you not even fear God seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we Indeed justly, for we receive the reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong". Then he said to Jesus "Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." You can't get much more minimum than the above!

Wow, wish I was telepathic now! It would save so much time and trouble.

Hum interesting question and I have no idea! Maybe as God confused and mixed up all the languages due to the tower of babel, He will un-confuse them all.

Well we had our extended lunch time two hour meal on Friday. Have to say, I really hated it. It just seems so pointless to sit listening to people gossiping about others, while everyone smiles and nods etc. At least now that's out of the way I can breathe a sign of relief.

Well it has been decided to have a Friday night staff party out on the town where I work next week. People are talking about who is paying and how long they will spend there. The general idea seems to be to go get as drunk as possible and stagger home at 3am in the morning. I've decided not to go anywhere near that. In my office we are also taking a two hour lunch to go to a local place eat, drink and be merry so to speak. That's harder to get out of but at least the drinking will be a bit more restrained as we have to go back to work later. For some it will probably be a warm up for the evening out I fear. I know one or two have said it can be an opportunity to be a good witness etc, and maybe that is the case in some places of work but it's hard to be a good witness and share christ with people who just want to get drunk and gossip. Glad to see others have found a way around this.

Oh I know just what you mean…I really do…. I gave up ages ago even trying to contemplate winning any debate with my aunt. Now I'm at the point where I don't even try anymore. It kind of amazes me that she gets a bit forgetful with day to day things and sometimes mixes up her words, but when she is trying to put her point of view across forcefully then she never gets her words mixed up or forgets! I do think there is a spiritual element also, at least I believe there is in my Aunts case. She is a christian but says she finds it hard to understand the bible and also that the print is too small, even though I bought her a large print bible. But yet she reads newspapers and takes in all the awful things that are going on in the world. She finds it hard to remember nice things, but never has any difficulties remembering the not so nice stuff. She forgets all the things I do for her, but will notice a bit of fluff on the carpet and go on about it for days after! Not that I want her to feel indebted to me, I don't. I am sure there is a spiritual element there and I prayer for her, for protection and that God will take care of her and watch over her. I prayer that he will open her mind to be receptive to spiritual matters and increase her faith. All I can do is be there for her and let God do the rest. Bless you LadyC, I'm sure God sees all of your efforts.

Hi LadyC I knew exactly where you are coming from. I am a carer for an elderly aunt and also work 4 days a week. I did work 5 days a week until April this year when it all got too much and so I have had to lose a days pay and reduce my working week for my own sanity, otherwise I think the men in the white coats would have come looking for me! When I am not at work, my home life is completely taken up with looking after my Aunt's well being. I love her and want the best for her, but it is hard work to care for someone who wont listen to medical advice and wont accept help from anyone else. She also has a habit of turning conversations around in all manner of directions and I know how unpleasant it can be. I think sometimes people need to feel that they have some control over their situation, at least that's what I think it is with my Aunt. Unpleasant words and twisted meanings can be deeply upsetting and it use to really get to me. But now I just try to brush it to one side and change the subject. I try to see things from my Aunts perspective, she was once a totally independent woman who raised a family on her own and now she is completely dependent on me so she must find it hard too. I just prayer for her and for me! that God will help us both to cope better with things. I'm glad that I have this opportunity to take care of her and I would not have it any other way. At times when I need to let off a bit a steam I just have a rant at God, then when I have got it all out I say sorry! I also have a friend in a similar position although she also has other family members to help out. But we get together at times and let of a bit a steam with each other. Praying for you.

Hi I was wondering how people feel about the staff parties, evenings out, meals etc which are often held at this time of the year. Personally I find them hard going. Its a strange really that for 50 weeks of the year or so, you work alongside people, (for me that means in an office environment where you just get on with your work, the boss tells you what to do and many people are trying to get one upmanship on each other). Then along comes christmas and suddenly you are expected to socialise people who maybe you would not normally socialise with. I find it especially hard as most events are based around nights out, pubs, alcohol etc and I just hate the whole - lets go out and get as drunk as possible mentality, especially if the boss is paying! I try to be friendly and if there is some event going on, I might pop by for maybe half an hour, drink orange juice only and then leave. That's about as much time as I can stand it! People sometimes think I am a bit of a spoilsport, but I just can't bring myself to pretend I enjoy the whole thing when I don't. I wondered how others manage with their work celebrations at this time of the year.

I'm not sure what country you are in but you might want to look up a christian organisation called Christians Against Poverty (CAP). They are based in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, They prayerfully and sensitively help people in financial difficulty and also reach out to people with the gospel message. They take over all your paperwork, get as much of the debt written off as possible and arrange a simple repayment plan for the rest. Many people have given testimony about how CAP has helped them out of despair and in some cases, from suicide. They also run money management courses. Even if you are not in one of these countries, you might want to check out their Website and see if any of the information can help in your situation. www.capmoney.org

It's on cable and sat TV Also just put God TV into your web browser and you can watch it live. There is some good programming on it, but there is also some not so good stuff. I know people who have come to Jesus through it and I still think it is reaching homes where people may not otherwise hear the gospel message. It's like anything though, there are good preachers and bad ones.