Galleon

Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. The scriptures talk a lot about fellowship, that so long as there's a crowd of believers, God is there. That is more important than church, if you ask me... I'm personally also a drifter. I've never felt drawn to any one church, only been turned off by some. I feel like a lot of people equate it unfairly to faith and commitment, that you're only a part of just one church and only ever one church. Once you walk through the doors, hoo boy, you're basically married apparently. But then I am, yes. God's church. I have faith and commitment to God. Not some institution of men. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; We're called to be priests ourselves. Much of the church is about bowing down to one priest, to being told what to do or how to think. But you're to read the word yourself, convene with the Lord yourself. You're not some helpless baby listening to a human father, but rather one person listening to another person. You're allowed to find a sermon inadequate. You're also allowed to find it powerful and convicting. All of this is why I'm fine being a drifter and rather an outlier, in terms of tradition.

Never touched a cigarette. My old stepmom used to smoke around 2 packs a day. Not only was the addictive quality apparent, but it was such a drain on money as well. I feel for anyone struggling. Honestly, I don't like how expensive they are as a "way to dissuade smoking". Like they need it and quitting isn't easy. And then they jack up the price in this economy. For myself, I don't think I'm an addictive person. I've smoked weed a few times but don't touch it anymore because I have a family history of schizophrenia - and honestly, didn't really find it that fun. Like yeah, I'm relaxed and giggling. But it's like an entire day just vanished. I will, however, smoke cigars rarely. Like maybe 3-4 times a year, just get something that looks interesting and just sit outside under the moon for hours. However, I could put them aside for good likewise. It's not really like a compulsion, it just feels rejuvenating.

I will come in with a side point that polygamy in the Old Testament could be seen as a social service rather than outright lewd. Because of the allowance on divorce, there were many women who would be former wives. Many men would turn these women aside because they were "used," but... Imagine George has his wife Carla. Carla has a friend named Emily. Emily's husband unexpectedly dies, let's just say warfare. Emily can't get a job... Maybe her kids can look after her, but how old are they, etc etc. So then George also marries Emily not necessarily out of lust nor love, but as a means of support, social protection. As well, there were a lot more legal protections at the time for married women. I'm personally of the belief that polygamy, or non-monogamy in general, is not the intended way. Scriptural nor otherwise. I'm merely pointing out possible reasons for this allowance within the old testament. I mean, imagine being Solomon's 417th wife out of however many wives he had in the end. You don't see the guy much. Get to live in the palace or probably get a nice little stipend, enough for a nice home of your own. Not a bad deal, honestly.

Obsession or addiction is pretty strong. It's best to avoid triggers. I think the dental appointment was divine intervention. As well, you can always pay respects in other ways as well. I'm nowhere near old graves I'd once visit and yet the ones lost are held in my heart fondly despite distance.

I can imagine it varies from person to person. I was an unbeliever once. Raised in a Christian (or at least "Christian-minded" home). With me, I think it was an inability to distinguish God from people. People do bad things, and some rise up in support of the right things, but in... Wrong ways. It's kind of hard to take certain things seriously when people don't practice what they preach. A kid might not be smart, but they watch things, they notice things, soak it up like a sponge. You can't tell a kid to not drink but then get drunk. Same as telling them that swearing is bad, and yet swear regardless. It creates a sort of... Questioning by the child of what they've been taught. No such thing as a perfect parent much less a perfect person, but still, some honesty and effort are always good. It was also probably going through the public school system being preached to about evolution and the wonders of science. There's only so much one can learn though, before they realize that knowledge only ever goes so far. Then you learn about the supposed major figures of science and their odd little quirks and beliefs and it really makes you question what you already know. Like Freud, man, he's called the father of psychology, but he was a coke addict and kind of insane. Learn about the human mind from a guy who stands on a table naked and screeches at his wife, sure, sounds legit. My disillusionment with science eventually led me into looking at the more... "unconventional" answers. I'd like to think that something somewhere along the line just brought me to the Lord, and not taking science as seriously anymore and looking in a few of the wrong places first was a part of that. I now realize that there's God, and then there's people. His ways are not our ways, nor our thoughts, his thoughts. Then, at the end of the day, men hardly know everything. We can learn, and Freud wasn't a complete nut, but we never know everything. It's rather nice not knowing everything, too.

A clear mind. I feel like I could focus better and get by in life better if my mind wasn't in such disarray. There's the line of thought that is in the moment and pondering what I'm doing, but then there's tons of other trains of thought going on in the other corners. What did I eat earlier, some random bug facts, somehow putting too much thought into how strange feet look, one corner seems intent on just making random noises like that one kid in gym class, there's a song in the back of my head and I can't remember what it's from and it's annoying, and so on and so forth. I like to think of it like a bunch of thought bees buzzing around my head, drowning out most of my focus.

I find myself in agreement with Mike 2. He was a criminal and he likely did those "good works" as a way of getting people to cover his tail. It's like Robin Hood - he's still a thief and the high taxes were due to the crusades, not necessarily any greed on Prince John's part. If Hood just stole from the rich for his own benefit, he would've been served up to John on a silver platter.

They are wrong about the robbing, yes, but not wrong to be compassionate for another. Why not suggest alternatives like praying to God, starting a GoFundMe, getting into investments... For that matter, don't they normally treat the patient, and THEN send the bill? So it is the same as any other debt. No need for something so drastic when they're already treated and doing well. To me, it's a matter of how you perceive people. There are many different opinions and many different beliefs out there, it's true. You do have people that are only in it for themselves, who can't see beyond themselves, and wish only to see the world burn. However, most people generally wish to make a positive impact on the world. Many might be misguided or have differing views on how to do so, but in general, people do not wish to be evil. It's just how they define "evil". They simply have to come to realize that they are not per say "good people," and must be approached in a calm and considerate manner. I wasn't always a Christian and everyone makes mistakes. I just try to look at it like I'm still seeking answers, I'm not perfect, and these people are potential brothers and sisters. I've gotten upset too, but try not to get mad - have pity.

Is it any wonder? I spend a lot of time trying to forget how I was when I was younger. I still have old essays and stuff I wrote, and everytime I read them, I feel like dying. I'm sorry my teachers even had to read such rubbish. I never truly forget, though. Not like I'm anything special these days either, anyhow.

The RCC... I'd advise against it. You know all the stuff about not bowing to idols? Catholics do that all the time. You know how Jesus is the way, and the ONLY way?Catholics worship the saints are rather up-in-arms about Mary, for some reason. You know how the Bible says absolutely nothing about burying a tiny statue (idol) on your property if you want it to sell better? The RCC relies on "tradition" and has far too many extra-biblical practices and beliefs.

You're looking at Matthew, right? Luke also has Jesus' genealogy and it follows the genealogy of Mary. Both list David. It seems many scholars are in disagreement and the differences in the two lists have been used to attack the gospel's accuracy. However, just cause we don't understand doesn't mean there is nothing to understand. Matthew and Luke must've clearly had a method and the veracity of the genealogies is either on scrolls lost to time or known by the believers then, but unknown among us today. To me, since David is on both lists, perhaps both Mary and Joseph had David's blood, but were so distantly related so as for it to not be yucky.

The definition differs from person to person. Same thing with "time" or "fate". Words for vague concepts that can't be truly and strictly defined. In that sense, the quote is both right and wrong. The meaning is pretty straightforward. You peel a potato and expect to be greeted by a different colored inside each time, but true to life, it's just beige because it's a potato. Science is a bunch of trial and error and I can imagine it being fairly tedious at times. As for the job thing, if you aren't enjoying it, I'd try to find work elsewhere. Closer than an hour away, at that.

The "American dream". A wad of cash, a happy family with a dog, a white picket fence, a classic Ford or Chevy... Part of that is marriage. I would call it a tradition, which has led to many forgetting it's religious roots. That's why you have atheists wanting to marry, and homosexuals, and people who just really love inanimate objects or anime girl body pillows, whatever the case is. It's just one of those things you do, even though one doesn't have to, even in a religious context. Maybe I just don't socialize much, but I haven't really experienced it. I know my grandma has asked me if I've found a girl yet... Like, once. Then a random woman at a garage sale had a picture of some girl on hand somehow (I can't remember if it was her daughter or granddaughter) that she showed me asking, "Do you think she's cute? Would you be interested?" I'd imagine it's because I'm not super appealing. Not to beat myself with low self esteem and call myself ugly, mind you. I just don't smile much and I think others get the idea that this here is a closed door. It pretty much is, really, near as I can tell.

EDIT Please delete this post

It's a win/lose situation. The UMC takes a bit of damage, but at least now they can successfully (hopefully) seperate more of the wheat from the chaff. That, and if the "progressive" churches are more obvious, they can be more easily avoided.