bropro

18 minutes ago, Sower said:

A no brainer. Background appears a four hole-er, and to the right an officers only.

At least you understood to slide them out before torching them off!!

I had my turn. A real crappy job............

Somebodies gotta do it....

I read somewhere that some of the veterans had some health issues from this.

Gary

10 minutes ago, farouk said:

Hi @bropro Is this a military truck in the background there?

Yes it is. The place is Vietnam.

Gary

On 3/8/2023 at 8:48 AM, Dennis1209 said:

Most of us old fogies have at least several jobs in our lifetimes. What was the worst job you ever had, and why? I still have occasional nightmares of my job in the early to mid-1980s.

PART ONE

My worst job was as a propane delivery driver in the ghettos of East Saint Louis, Illinois, and the surrounding vicinity. They converted to propane from natural gas because they did not pay the gas bill, resulting in disconnection. Most of the customers were C.O.D. I had to collect cash before any delivery, no checks. I often had thousands of dollars on me in this crime-infested gang-ridden city and surrounding areas.

I will mention only a few of the dozens of stories I experienced in the ghetto as a gas delivery driver. I delivered bulk propane to 250–500-gallon tanks and switched out 100# tanks for gas stoves.

Before G.P.S., It took a lot of time to find and learn where these propane tanks were located; many wrong turns and time were wasted. I was expected to make as many deliveries as possible.

Ninety percent of the time, when I made a delivery, the tank was empty. In the winter, many wanted same-day service. The company I worked for tacked a $35.00 same-day service fee, with a 100-gallon minimum. Getting these radio calls for same-day service, as I had my route organized for efficiency, was frustrating and hindering.

As I mentioned, nine out of ten tanks were utterly empty; therefore furnace, gas stove, and water heater pilot lights were out. I was required to bleed the gas lines to the appliances and relight the pilot lights at no additional charge. Thermocouples often fail to energize the gas valve, another story.

I cannot tell you how many times I lifted the top of the gas stove to light the pilot light, hundreds of roaches hurrying out and on me: roaches and their droppings everywhere and on food.

In addition to their natural gas being shut off for nonpayment, their water and sewer were usually disconnected. The sewer line was often concreted at the main line to prevent sewer system usage. But they found ways to bypass this inconvenience.

Refusal to do something at this company was frowned upon. On more than one occasion, I opened the door to the basement to light the furnace pilot light and was immediately knocked over by the stench. The sewer line was cut off under the toilet(s), and the waste was dropping and collecting in huge piles on the basement floor.

Informing the dispatcher by radio, in no uncertain terms, he directed me to go down there and light the pilot anyway. No, I will not; I can return your truck immediately if you would like.

My worst job by far was, well some of you will be able to figure it out via this picture. Thankfully it was only a 2 day job.

21 hours ago, farouk said:

@bropro So do you actually like being tattoo free?

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

20 hours ago, Sower said:

You were smart! I was stupid in that I extended for the second tour when they gave me some more stripes, which meant my pay went up to a whopping $96.00 month.  Seemed a lot back then,  playing poker and then in one hand losing a month's pay. 
You remember that funny little play money, monopoly MPC.

Back then I was also RCC religious and lost. In stateside duty, the few times my buddies went for tats was when we were half drunk building up the courage to go. And the tats they got looked like something from a prison artist spaced out, pretty crude.   
Which I think they preferred anyway, to be different. Young and dumb, yet we thought we knew it all. Can only imagine what they look like today, a half century later....    Never regretted not having one back stateside. It was time to put it all behind me.    
I became a PFC again, if you know what I mean. And yrs later, reborn......

 

 

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

On 2/23/2023 at 8:50 PM, Sower said:

As did myself and several others in my outfit. But the last two yrs of enlistment I was in the jungles in country, and the last place you want scabs and infection was not there.

Returning back to the world, home of the eternal light bulb and round eye girls, the tattoo took back seat when I found out I was getting an early out with only thirty + days enlistment left. So two weeks on the west coast, then home, sweet blessed home...

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

On 2/23/2023 at 8:31 PM, farouk said:

@bropro You can maybe see anyway how those who do like the idea of a Bible verse tattoo, etc., as an ongoing witness being there for good would be quite attracted to undergoing the procedure, anyway.

All the young ppl with Bible verses tattooed with whom I have spoken seemed to have received them for witness tool reasons, anyhow.

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

1 minute ago, farouk said:

Hi @bropro . Re. the Marines on the other thread, I think Semper Fi is quite a sought after tattoo among Marines, right?

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

5 minutes ago, farouk said:

Sounds like you would have a lot of interesting experiences. I'm Canadian but I recognize the US Marines motto there...........

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 hours ago, farouk said:

Okay, so on another thread -with restricted posting - there was a topic about addictions.

On the one hand we often rightly seem to think of addictions in terms of alcohol, drug abuse, etc., as being addictions and indeed thus bad.

On the other, it said if we spent more time diligently searching the Word of God as a compelling pursuit, this might in some ways be spoken of as an 'addiction', but the outcome is clearly very good.

I was thinking that sometimes compelling pursuits can have good outcomes.

E.g., some Christians really like getting Bible verse tattoos that they use as witness tools. It's sometimes said that if you get a tattoo, you might not stop at one. Some compelling pursuits can have good outcomes...

(Thoughts, ppl?)

(cc @sweetycakes ; @Rosie1jack2pauline3 )

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
 

Also a Kansas Citian and glad the Chiefs won.

Gary 

10 minutes ago, Sower said:

Old enough, Gary...and probably wore out carrying base plates.....

What outfit? I was with 1st Mar Div, third heard, third Marines at I corps, 66-7-8.  Amphibious  am-tracks w/105's.
 

Gary
In Him Who is
Semper
Fidelis.....

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

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

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

1 hour ago, Jayne said:

I'm so appreciative of all who have served - no matter when, no matter where.  If you served or are serving, why don't you say so here.  We would like to know.

THANK YOU!!  God bless you!!  

Yesterday, my DAR group passed out "thank-yous" to senior adult veterans at the senior adult center Veterans Day luncheon.  We pass out something every year.

I am happy to say that this year we passed out giant print Bibles.  We had about 75 and even some of the wives got one.  The only thing I was not happy about was that I did not get to be there.

Have a great day and know how much you are appreciated!! 

 

I served with the third 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam, 1968-1969. Thanks for your acknowledgement.

Gary

1 hour ago, Sower said:

  “On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill

                     our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.”

                                                                                         Thank a vet......lest we forget....

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

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

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

12 hours ago, Marathoner said:

A brother once said to me, "So many view the book of Revelation as the 'Revelation of the Beast!'"

Ah, but that's not what this book is about. May the Lord bless you all through this study, my friend.  

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

On 10/30/2022 at 11:28 PM, Space_Karen said:

If christians in the year 2022 had a grand blueprint for making the world a better place that God could approve of, what would it be.

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.

On 10/30/2022 at 11:28 PM, Space_Karen said:

If God approved of us making an effort to change the world in some way, what might it look like.

 

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

19 hours ago, missmuffet said:

What is a hard-learned lesson from your life?

To deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).

Gary

3 hours ago, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

I'm just wondering why I see so many Christians get angry and mad. We are supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. But how can we do this when we act just like the unsaved? Why do we live angry and depressed at our fellow man? Why doesn't the world see the joy that is supposed to be in our hearts. Why do we attack each other instead of lift each other up and encourage each other? Why do we judge others instead of love them? I'd love to hear some viewpoints on this.

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 hours ago, Starise said:

Are we as Christians snubbing people or ignoring people? I will admit sometimes I don't know how to deal with some people and I do ignore them because I can think of no way to gainfully communicate with them. Is that wrong? 

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

3 hours ago, Starise said:

Do you see your fellow man as only a Christian brother, or do you see everyone as a potential Christian brother or sister?

Maybe the secret to having the right attitude towards others is to try and see them through the eyes of Jesus.

Are others annoying you? Do people make you impatient? Do you see people as obstacles instead of as people? Do people make you easily agitated? 

Here is something I at least try to do- Whenever I look at any person I tell myself Jesus loves them. If someone is annoying me, I tell myself Jesus loves them and so should I.

Are we as Christians snubbing people or ignoring people? I will admit sometimes I don't know how to deal with some people and I do ignore them because I can think of no way to gainfully communicate with them. Is that wrong? 

Do you think all people are potential candidates for some kind of a connection, or do you think there are only certain kinds of people we best associate with?

I believe the Lord tells us to love our neighbor, no matter who they are. Not only love our neighbor, but love them as we love ourselves. 

The bible doesn't tell us we need to befriend everyone or hang out with everyone. The bible only tells us to love everyone and treat everyone well. It is probably impossible to have a relationship with some people, yet we still need to approach them with love.

I don't believe Jesus ever looked on a man or woman He created with true disdain. If anything I believe He is sad when He looks at some people who have rejected Him.

Every one of us are 'in the works' as people. Some seem so far out there it seems no one can ever reach them, yet Jesus has repeatedly saved many of those who were thought to be hopeless. 

I believe the body of Christ could reach so many more people if we could simply see them through the eyes of Christ and get rid of our stubbornness and pride.

The beginning of Jesus for some people might be the love of God through you in even the smallest of things.

While it is true we can't get along with everyone, we can love everyone. Love in and of itself is a very disarming thing.

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

2 hours ago, Marathoner said:

Memories, brother.

I face something similar. I live with those memories of what I have seen and heard, but take comfort in remembering what the Lord has promised to us: the day comes when those things will pass away. They only endure for as long as we remain on this earth. 

They make us who we are in the Lord. I suffer from bouts of recurring depression as well, but this doesn't reflect upon our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ in any way. This is but a consequence of surviving dark times and remembering those who suffered; the Lord knows what we have faced and remembers that our frame is dust. 

There's nothing wrong with weeping, my friend. We cannot help but remember and so it's our place to endure until the night passes. May the Lord bless you, @bropro.

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