Green Darner

In the Amplified Version: Matthew 5:3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! I was just thinking that even in everyday conversation we use the word "poor" to mean "pitiable or pitiful" as in "you poor thing." The recent issue of Discipleship Journal had a feature section on the Beatitudes. It seems lately that I keep "bumping into" the Beatitudes everywhere. Perhaps, the Lord is trying to get me to pay attention and listen.

Ahh, now that is very interesting! I had not ever considered that! Thank you!

Perhaps you need to find a different school or homeschool? I don't know the laws in your area but where I am we have "freedom of choice" (albeit limited to so many miles).

Adstar, thank you for asking this question - I've always been afraid to for fear someone would me. If the prophecy says His name will be "Immanuel" why is it "Jesus"?

Since becoming a Christian I've been wanting to ask: 1. Why is it that so many believe we turn into angels when we get to heaven? Before becoming a Christian I thought this was what was in the bible but after reading the bible for myself I can't ever imagine coming to that conclusion. Where did this belief originate? 2. Also, nowhere in the bible does an angel appear as a female, they always appear as a male. Why are most modern day depictions of angels generally in female form? Is it because of the robes or what?

Whenever I think of denominations (divisions) this passage comes to mind: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Or does it mean something else entirely?

I think: "Boy I'm glad I don't watch TV's garbage anymore." :x:

I Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. :il:

AHA!! That's it! That is exactly what I've been feeling!!

Matthew 24 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Proverbs 1 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 9 10"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Teh Wiccan, As a former atheist, I too, struggled to make sense of Christianity. Now at that time in my life knowledge was my life's quest and I had been taught that Christianity wasn't for "thinking people". I was really quite stunned the first time I actually read the bible for myself! Then while reading through the bible (as to why I was reading it in the first place that is a long story) I came across the first passage above about knowledge. As I kept reading - it slowly dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to really understand what I was reading until I believed and accepted the Lord. Please don't think this took overnight. I spent 2 years reading and studying the bible - you see, it took me that long because I was so focused on "knowing all the answers" before I would commit to the Lord. When I finally did accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior THAT IS WHEN the Word started to make sense. Colossians 2 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. This is one of my favorite passages.

Perspective can really change our attitude about our problems. Whenever I find myself grumbling over housework I think about those in California whose home is gone. Whenever I'm frustrated with my children I think of those who have tragically lost theirs. Thanks for the reminder IR

That article reminds me of a joke my pastor told: Atheists: Look! See we can create life from clay! God takes away the clay: Go make your own dirt!

Maybe I'm confused but I didn't think that Terri was terminally ill - just brain damaged. I mean she is breathing on her own right? She doesn't have a life threatening disease? Isn't the only problem is that she is severly disabled? If we terminate people just because they cannot feed themselves (or take care of themselves) what do we do with all our babies and many of our elderly?

I've never understood how "X" stands for "Christ". Mostly it annoys me because slang annoys me (and no - a good southern drawl is NOT slang ).

Wowzers!! I'll go back to waiting patiently now

I'm an amateur odonatist (I study dragonflies and damselflies in my spare time). The green darner is one of the most common dragonflies and my favorite color is green. (Plus, I do like to sew - darner: get it? lol) edited to say: Thanks, Pam!

Only Jesus is truth! Saying that other religions contain some truth is like saying Snickers (the candybar) contains some calcium (actually it contains 2%RDA for calcium). Would you recommend eating Snickers for strong bones and teeth. I don't think so! You would have to eat so much junk just to get the calcium needed that it would rot your teeth instead of making them healthy. It's the same with other religions/philosophies - you have to "eat too much junk" just to get a little nugget of wisdom - and risk your salvation at that! Sorry to offend all you Snickers fans - it really is my favorite candybar! LOL!

Have you posted the second part of "Daniel's Little Big Horn" yet? I didn't want to miss it.

The information on the progress of the temple is very interesting considering the recent news of the collapse of a wall of the Dome. God's timing perhaps?

traveller, how does that joke go - the one where several atheists say they can create life and when they grab some clay God says - make your own dirt! I'm so bad at punchlines

Speaking of Matthew 24... the other day during my daily bible time I came across this verse: Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Wow! This really leapt off the page when I was reading it. Doesn't it seem to ya'll that everyone is offended nowadays by something or other. My goodness you can hardly say anything anymore without offending somebody. I never really noticed this verse much before - I guess just following the recent headlines made it stick out in my mind.

One Accord, Yes, it does sound like we have had similar experiences - maybe it's just a "southern thing Wow, that must be pretty tough at times. Don't know if I could live with my dad. Love him? Yes. Visit him every Sunday? Yes. But live with him? The Lord sure works in mysterious ways doesn't he!

Ah, yes, I hear the same thing. (where's that little smilie nodding his head in agreement when you need him?) Do you ever feel like shaking them and saying "UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND!!!" Well, that's what I feel like doing anyway. Then, (usually instantly) I remind myself that I was exactly like that - I thought those exact things at one time. Thank you Lord for having patience with me back then!

Hmmm...guess I got to work on using that bold button thingie...