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bropro

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  1. I do in the sense that my moral compass at that time was pretty foul. I'm sure that if I would have gotten a tattoo then, it would have reflected my immoral life. And that would certainly have affected my testimony and witnessing efforts when I became a Christian. Gary
  2. Yes, I remember the MPC (monopoly money), but if I lost or won anything, it was by playing back alley bridge. Some other things we have in common though: we both made it home; we both are tattoo free; we both earned big money while we were there; and best of all, we both eventually gave our hearts to Christ. Have a great evening brother. Gary
  3. I was not a Christian when I was in the Corp, so it is hard to tell what kind of a tattoo I might have gotten. I'm sure that whatever I would have gotten, it would have been in conflict with my testimony as a Christian, but would have been there for good. I'm sorry brother that you had to spend two years in the jungles of Nam. I got an early out when I got back from my tour, because I didn't want to take a chance of getting sent back again, as many had experienced. Glad you made it back. SEMPER FI! Gary
  4. I worked with a man several years ago that had a tattoo on his arm that displayed a cross with blood dripping from it that said “this bloods for you.” To tell you the truth I kind of liked this tattoo, but when this man opened his mouth around women his words were filled with innuendos towards them that ruined his testimony of Jesus, and angered the women. I also knew of a woman several years ago that had a bumper sticker that said “honk if you love Jesus.” One day she was stopped at a light and someone behind her honked their horn in response to her bumper sticker, and she flipped them off. My point is, a tattoo, or a bumper sticker may be a form of witnessing that can have a negative effect, depending on what mood the person may be in. And we all go through things that can cause our moods to cause us to respond in inappropriate ways (hopefully not as bad as the examples I’ve just shared). I personally don’t have any problems with tattoos, whether the person is a Christian or a non Christian. The best testimony is to endeavor to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit so that we may by our actions and temperament reflect the one who loved us and died for us. Gary
  5. I am sure that it is pretty high on the list. I thought about getting a tattoo when I was in the Corp, but reasoned that it would be there for good. So I decided against it. Gary
  6. Yes, a lot of interesting experiences, many of which were traumatic, painful, life changing, and those that left scars. I tell people that I would never want to go there again, but at the same time I would not trade the experience for anything. I met a lot of good men there and some of the experiences that I went through, God has used to give me the gift of being empathetic towards others. I've always wanted to visit Canada. I'm sure it is has amazing scenery. Gary
  7. One example I can recall actually uses the word "addicted," but in a positive sense. The meaning here is more to devote oneself to a good thing. The difference may be that when addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc. this is something that has a strong hold on a person even if they try to get free from it. The verse below indicates these people chose to addict (devote) themselves to something that they don't want to be loosed from. 1 Corinthians 16:15 (KJV) 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) Gary
  8. Also a Kansas Citian and glad the Chiefs won. Gary
  9. Good evening Sower. I was with the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, also at I Corp. Our base camp was in Quang-Tri, though we didn't spend much time there. Semper Fi Brother. Gary
  10. I served in the Marine Corp from 1967 to 1969. I was stationed in Vietnam for a little over a year as a mortarman. Well, I guess you know about how old I am now. Gary
  11. I resolve to not make any New Years resolutions. However, I will endeavor by the help of the Holy Spirit to abide in Jesus, and to let His words abide in me, so that I can bear much fruit that will glorify my Father, thus proving to be a disciple of His. Gary
  12. I served with the third 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam, 1968-1969. Thanks for your acknowledgement. Gary
  13. As a Vietnam veteran, it means more than people can imagine when they thank me for my service. We did not receive this kind of response when we came home. I thank all veterans of all wars for their sacrifice, and the families who have suffered as a result of their service. Semper Fi! Gary
  14. I appreciate all your answers. There is some sound wisdom to be gleaned here. I see in this situation, that God was the one who gave the command to have the man stoned to death, which is consistent with His warning should anyone defile the sabbath as shown in the verses below. So as I see it, God demonstrated that He was a just God by ordering that the man be executed. I can see why people who don't know the Lord, or have not matured in the faith may have questions in their mind about this. It is good to get other people's perspective on this. Thanks again for your comments. Exodus 31:14-15 (KJV) 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Gary
  15. In our adult bible study this morning, we were discussing the keeping of the Sabbath under the Old Covenant. One of the scripture references that came up had to do with the man that went out and picked up sticks on the Sabbath. When the Lord was asked what to do with him, He said that he was to be stoned to death. The question that was asked by a couple of people was, why was the penalty so severe for this man? I thought I would put this question out here to gain insights from others. Gary
  16. The first verse tells us that the book of Revelation is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ." It is strange how people miss that and think it is about the beast. Have a great day. Gary
  17. Christians actually do have a blueprint to make the world a better place, which is found in the scriptures. When Jesus left this world, He left it in the hands of men whom He had modeled how life is to be lived. He said “I do only those things I see the Father do.” In living in obedience to the Father in all things, we contribute on our part (however small that part may be) to making the world a better place. But more specifically, Jesus commanded the disciples to go into all the world and make disciples. They were to teach the world all things that He had taught them. This is what really effects change, and more to the point, transformation. This is in my estimation the blueprint for making the world a place that God would approve of. The only way the world has a chance to change, is for the churches to capture a vision of creating a discipleship culture that multiplies disciples that emulate Christ who disciple others to do the same. Our human efforts without the power of “God working in us to will, and to do of His good pleasure,” will be fruitless. Jesus taught that “without me you can do nothing.” The world is the way it is today, because it has basically been run by humans, and we have made a mess out of it. The only thing we can do that will be pleasing to God, is to bring something into the world that will transform it, and that is the Gospel. This is my thoughts of the issue. Have a nice day. Gary
  18. To deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Gary
  19. What I try to remember is that "the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God" (James 1:20). As a disciple of Christ, my main responsibility is to glorify Him, not demand my rights or whatever the case may be. It has been a hard lesson to learn, and quite frankly I'm still learning to refrain from speaking if someone has rubbed me the wrong way. I have found it best to be silent instead of allowing myself to reach the boiling point and explode, because when that happens (and it has happened 3 or 4 times in my early Christian life) then I have hurt my testimony of the Lord, I have hurt another person, and I put myself in a place to have to go back and make it right with the person I lost my temper with. When I hold it back, I then take the situation to the Lord. I have found that as I am praying for the Lord to convict that person, or humble that person, that I am at times that person. We are going to get angry at times, but we don't have to let the anger control us. As the Holy Spirit has equipped us with the fruit of temperance (self control) we can bring our angry spirit under control. Gary
  20. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NASB) 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. According to this verse, we are commanded to keep away (withdraw-KJV) from unruly people. I have done this effectively at times, and at other times not so much. My attitude has gotten in the way at times and projected a self-righteous spirit towards the person. Not so good for my testimony. At other times, I have stayed away from people as much as possible, but was able to maintain a meek and loving spirit when unable to maintain that distance. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing that matters in my conflict with others, is that they witness the work of Christ in my responses. It may not be the easiest thing to do, but it is a doable thing if I trust the Holy Spirit that is in me to navigate my responses. My right responses (by way of the Holy Spirit) may be the very thing that the Lord will use to convict their hearts of their contentious spirit causing them to repent, and draw them to Himself. So I don't see it as wrong to distance myself from an unruly person, as long as I remember who I am, and Who I am to reflect. Gary
  21. I endeavor at all times to view life through the lens of scripture. All people have a soul that will spend eternity someplace. With this understanding, I know that regardless of how much a person irritates me, or how wicked a person may be, they are a person for whom Christ died. If they are valued enough by God to send His Son to die for them, I too should endeavor to love them as He did. Because, quite honestly, I was at one time one of those wicked people who had a bad habit of irritating and disrespecting people. Stirring the pot so to speak. Thanks for the post. These questions you asked should set all of us to regularly examine our lives to see if we are living in a manner that honors Jesus. Gary
  22. Thanks for the encouraging words. These things I go through may be a means that God uses to keep me humble. To remind me of how much I need Him, and to show me that w/o Him I can do nothing. I haven't mastered it yet, but I try to remember to count it all joy when I encounter various trials. I know that He can use all things to develop in me what He desires, and to refine things in me that need refining. Stay strong brother. Gary
  23. Hello Misty I don't know if this comes under the spirit of grief or not, but during my tour of duty in Vietnam, I experienced traumatic loses that come back to my mind on the anniversary dates of those events. These are things that I have to battle every year. It leaves me battling depression, anxiety, and a few other emotions. And I cannot for the life of me, understand why I still have to deal with these issues year after year. As a disciple of Christ, I know I have the victory over these things, though I don't feel the victory. Along with the presence and promises of Jesus, I have a good support system with my wife and those in the church. I am in the middle of one of those anniversary dates even now as I am writing this, and I know that by the grace of God I will get through it. But the emotions will have to run their course I guess. At least that is the way it has been for the last 54 years. Anyway, I will stop here and sign off. Have a blessed evening. Gary
  24. I was talking about this with someone the other day. Balaam just carries on this conversation with the donkey like it's nothing out of the normal. If it had been me, when the donkey said the first word, I would have been about a hundred yards away before he finished his sentence and gaining speed. Gary
  25. The whole essence of life according to Jesus is to know the Father, and Jesus Christ whom the Father had sent. John 17:3 (KJV) 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Gary
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