Repose

One must be the change they want to see. If you can't find community in your new church, then try to make it. Maybe make a mixed group that could meet up outside the church, make some friends.

I agree with Rev in that one should only go so far. Discipline is good, though. You see lots of kids left on their lonesome and babysat by technology. It doesn't look to end well. I was spanked as kid, a total of less than 10 times. My parents also had me hold books. I would be made to stand with my arms out, palms up. Some books would then be placed on my hands (nothing too big, of course). They would set a timer for 15 min. If I moved, lowered my arms, or made so much as a peep, the timer would be reset. Let me tell you, I learned how to be quiet and still REAL quick. Also learned to not misbehave real quick, too.

I'm glad you got that call. Some support will work nicely. Now, I'm not sure if this is good advice, but... Be dismissive. They do it because they want a reaction. So don't give them one, shrug them off. Who gives a hoot what they think? Don't be evasive, though. If they sense fear or think they can walk all over you, they will. I don't know if you have trouble with eye contact, but look them in the eyes and don't back up. Be direct as well. "I'm not going to talk about that," or, "Unless we have business, I'd really rather not speak with you" are good examples.

Well, some are certainly easier to love than others. I think love takes time and effort. The general idea of forgiving and loving is the "seed," per say. The time and effort, the water and sunlight. I think a bit of self-criticism can be good, too, despite how that might sound; I've been either at fault or partially at fault in the past for things not going well. I guess I don't really have a good, interactive testimony. I know that sounds bad... Maybe I'm still a bit too green to the idea, but most forgiveness and love comes after the fact, and often when they aren't much of a presence in my life anymore. Former classmates, former coworkers/employers, my brother... Haven't been in school for a time, don't work at those places anymore, and I don't live with or near my brother. So, no dice, really. Sorry.

I'm no doctor, but I am interested in more details.

I recently came across a story of a woman who claimed to hear God speaking to her, telling her to take a particular rock to someone she knew. When she arrived with the rock, he was in the process of polishing some rocks, and agreed to polish the rock for her. Upon completion, she claimed one side held an image of Jesus carrying a lamb, and on the other side, an image of Jesus speaking to her. I've seen pictures of people finding an image of Jesus on other objects. Burnt unto a slice of toast. On a piece of raw steak. In the clouds. The list goes on. What is your opinion regarding these? Are they real? Or is it a hoax? Is it a matter of psychology, the human brain taking an anomalous object (it's shape, coloration, etc) and filling in the gaps?

I don't know what to say exactly regarding the age regression, on top of the furry aspect. I do know, however, the idea of retreating into fantasy in order to avoid reality. I think everyone does it a bit. I try to plan out books I might write when I'm bored. People turn on the TV or flip through a book because it can distract them from their troubles. What I will say though is that these do not remedy those troubles, they only mask them, tuck them away for a short while. That's not to say you should cease to do so (we all do similar, after all), but I only hope that it isn't to a point of avoiding those troubles indefinitely. A wound can't heal without a bandage. As for your friend... I'm in a slightly similar boat. I'm unemployed, and a rough and messy employment history interferes with my ability to get into a job. It doesn't stop me, though. I still turn in applications. I still go to interviews. A horse never wins the race by collapsing before they even reach the start line. That's just sad. Even if the race is never won, at the very least, one can take a little pride in trying. Never say never, as they say. Maybe that horse analogy would speak to him, but it sounds to me like he's made up his mind. You can still try to talk to him, but if he wants to piddle about, then I'm sure he'll get bored or discouraged. A YT for age regression furry content is... Not likely to make it big, let's just be real. Maybe, if he wishes to work from home, he could find some other trade. I know furries like their fursuits and artwork. Could even take up writing, or composing. I'd still say he'd need a day job, though.

Work can be pretty nice, though. It gives a guy something to do, something to occupy his mind with. I could see the beggar being glad. When you don't have work, there's less reason to get out of bed. Far more annoying, if you ask me, is too much time with one's own mind. The mind holds a darkness blacker than any night. It's just not healthy. I know a number of deaf or blind people gladly leap at the chances at jobs willing to hire them, and I certainly don't blame them.

I'd describe love as something that needs to be grown, and practiced in order to be grown. So a starting basis of wanting to love others, tempered with loving actions, slowly growing into having that love in a more sincere, non-action way. Perhaps with less time needed in order for that love to grow as more experience is gained.

I honestly can't remember if I prayed about the job (it's been a minute), but it was a rough job. It stressed me out to a point where I had many sins to apologize for. It was also my first real job; I only did a few days work at a firework stand before then. I wish to avoid digging up the past and going on some massive rant, so I think it's better to summarize it as being my least favorite job so far. I was really stressed out and worked up cause the job left alot on my plate to the point where I'd be shaking with impatience and swearing under my breath. I was still on my first readthrough of the Bible, so the idea of self-control was new. Looking back, it was a job I really should've left sooner, as sticking around was foolish. This next part will sound dumb, but I like to think of it like food. It's not just the meal, but the setting and circumstances that make the meal memorable and great. You could be out at sea for months with nothing to eat but rotted crumbs and slimy roaches. Then when you come ashore, someone hands you a PBNJ sandwich, and despite being common food, it is the best thing you have ever tasted. You could be eating a gourmet meal 5 months later, but nothing there tops that memory of that PBNJ. That's what I like to compare this to. One day, a manager walked up and told me someone else would cover my shift. They wanted me to take a broom and dustpan and spend the day sweeping the parking lot, which was riddled with garbage and dirt. I could be outside in the cool air without people to bug me? Hot dog! I spent that day sweeping up garbage, cigarettes, and gravel. Rather than being hot and getting burned, the air outside was cool and steady. Rather than having someone gnawing on my back and screeching at me, I was alone and everything was rather quiet. Rather than getting angry and losing hair, everything was wonderful. I even found a $5 bill just laying around. All in all, it was a much needed break, and a good example that not all jobs would be nearly so stressful. Again, I don't think I prayed for it, but I'm still thankful for that day, and I attribute it to the Lord. I've had decent days on other jobs, but none of those jobs had me nearly as worked up. That day sweeping up trash was the PBNJ sandwich after spending so much time at sea. It wasn't much, but it was also alot.

Rev 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." It always makes me wonder, the physics-defying mental gymnastics people must have to go through, to look at various lines of scripture and either twist or deny them because it doesn't align with their own beliefs. Clear as day, it says homosexuality is an abomination, but I guess feelings matter more.

As for my head, well... I'm a bit of a loser. It's not that I've never held a job, but with a wonky and turbulent work history with a few gaps, how attractive I am as a potential employee is not great. Then I didn't go to school and I have nearly no skill set. In other words, I am unemployed, and the longer I am, the deeper the hole I'm in gets. I still put in applications and I'm still willing to work, it's just that it doesn't go well. Just the general way people tend to look down on guys with no job. Perhaps it's reasonable, as it's not like I'm guiltless when it comes to my work history, but still, a bit of kicking a dude when he's already down. That, and while it sucks to admit it, I don't feel like I'm upright enough because I do still backslide. I realize that's a bit of a dumb excuse, a bit like an addict who wants help but is too ashamed to go to rehab; you go there to get help, after all. We all fall short, but still, it's an idea I have trouble shaking off 1. Only thing I can think of is retaining info, remembering things. I'm blonde, so it doesn't always work well, but I never had to study at school. I leaned on it, actually; I would purposefully not do homework and then get a passing grade by acing the quizzes and tests. 2. For the Lord, I'm going to guess that's what you meant. I honestly have no clue; whatever it seems like he wants me to, really. I would think maybe finance or study; I'm not good with people. 3. I guess Paul. He was one who persecuted the church until that light appeared on the road, who then went one to do wonders for the church. I was an atheist once before. 4. Beyond finding further insight in the word, I can't think of anything. Would a walk outside be physical? I like the wind, and reflecting on the water. Time to think, alone and in silence, really.

This is the second time I've read it, but as it is with scripture, it's like you pick up on different things each time. If anything, it just reinforces the idea that I could and probably should be doing more. I don't attend church. I don't know where to start there, not to mention being nervous around other people, and just not quite being at a point where I could hold my head high. There's probably a ton of things I could or should be doing and things I could not or should not be doing. I'm in a bit of a stasis of sorts, really - and that's not life, it's just momentum carrying me from one day to the next, and it's not good.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither your ways my ways."

I finished up Revelations and I have two things. The first is what this line of scripture means: Revelations 22:11 - "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still. He that is filthy, let him be filthy still. He that is righteous, let him be righteous still. He that is holy, let him be holy still". Second, I was reading the description of the New Jerusalem, specifically of the foundations. They describe each one being adorned with a gem stone. I was thinking that these referred to the breastpiece on the robe Aaron would wear, with the twelve stones for the twelve tribes. Did I catch that right?

I'd say the vice-versa is true, too. I've seen secular women talking about wanting to mess with and seduce christian men - and it is ever so difficult to deal with aggressive women. Honestly, it's like the more you say no and seem unobtainable, the more coocoo they get. I've got stories that I'd reckon most wouldn't believe. They get WAY too comfortable about touching. I can imagine there being a mindset like how Willa described, a sort of pity, as that's what I've experienced with secular women approaching me. They're looking for love, really, it's just that they feel like their body is the only way they might obtain it (when that is highly misguided). I don't quite get what the female mindset of that would be exactly, but still. It is a form of attack by the enemy, that promiscuous people are drawn to try and act as stumbling blocks to the Christian way. It's not even the only way in which they do so. The only thing I can think of to do is advocate that others resist the temptation, to pray for the strength to do so.

Was that previous transfer to the second eldest noted in the bible's list? If so, then whatever goes on could also be made note of here. If I were this man, I think I'd ask the kids what their thoughts are. Whatever decision is reached would be made note of in the pages, and the items who go to whomever it was decided to obtain possession of them. Also, in case I passed on before a point, I'd maybe leave it with a trusted one, one who could handle the estate.

I've only ever read the NIV and KJV. I'm leaning towards the KJV; I think the NIV was perhaps just a bit too simple maybe? I don't know.

Is the task ever truly done, though?

I've often said that I'm like Humpty Dumpty. No matter how much or how hard I try, I just can't seem to put myself together. You're only ever Humpty Dumpty to yourself, though. You know who can put those pieces back together? God. We all get a bit slippery and have times of difficulty, but they are learning opportunities, to turn to God and learn something new. I guess I can't push you into a secular job, but keeping your body busy can be good. Some chores around the house, some exercise... You'd be amazed at how much it can improve your mood. You might also consider online painting tutorials - that way it doesn't have to clash with the class. Any form of art can be nice; I like to try out poetry when the mood hits me. I don't know what to say about the church part other than to maybe give it time. I hope things can come together for you at some point.

Perhaps you've thought about how it must be like, to be gay or to come out as gay, and your mind was just playing on that while you slept.

To me, a minor offense would be like if a guy I know started insulting me, but then apologized and explained that he was having a rough day or what have you. Petty stuff. The situation you've presented... I have to be honest, I'd probably do the foolish thing of bucking up to him. "Aw, here's my address because your business is with me, little baby boy can't fight his own battles, aw". Not to advocate for this, mind; I'm foolish, dumb, and likely cruising for a bruising. I'd take your evidence to the police and see if charges couldn't be applied. Take along the other person who had people show up, too, both as a witness and to possibly provide for further charges. Even then, a home security system and some means of self-defense would be a good idea. Little baby boy could probably call people to the house from jail, being petty and cowardly as I assume he is. I wouldn't back down from continuing to do what got his diaper in a bundle to begin with, either; you can't be a doormat, especially with weaklings like that.

No DNA test here; just word of mouth and personal research. I'm a mongrel of the UK. English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh, with the two strongest being English (my dad) and Irish (my mom).

There are people who spend their entire lives trying to wrap their heads around the whole of scripture, but I doubt there's anyone on the earth who isn't still learning, on top of review. I go back to things I've read previously and it's like there's something different each time. I look back on my first readthrough and I wonder how I didn't pick up on lots of different things. If you ask me, slow and steady wins the race. Things either get done fast or they get done well. Take your time and approach it with a calm mind. It can also help to pray before you pick the book up, for wisdom and guidance, for a better understanding.

1. He did die, though one must not forget that he resurrected. 2. It does. 3. As others have said, the penalty of sin is death. Before the new covenant, the blood of animals would be offered upon the altar for a remission of sins. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul". These animal sacrifices were temporary, however. Jesus is often called the Lamb (the sacrifice), specifically one without blemish (without sin). With his crucifixion, his blood was offered upon the altar as an eternal atonement, for all who believe in and trust in him. 4. In a way, yes and no. There are those who do not believe, and so lacking the blood, receive the penalty. It's a free gift, one which a number of people refuse or neglect.