Galleon

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.

Expression of love, I'd put it as. Either in word or by doing something for someone. Being given a compliment or getting a helping hand when you need it, that kind of thing. Me personally, I don't enjoy touch, or hugs. Even from sweet, well-meaning old women. Just makes me uncomfortable. I still try to be polite about it, but I'd rather avoid physical contact.

I back up what other one has posted. If they do ask, tell the truth, but don't tell them what they don't need to know.

Lay some details on us.

I can understand wishing to keep details few, but any advice offered here would need more specifics. EDIT if you would rather not post it publicly, I can understand - You can always private message someone. I don't know if I'd be able to help, but I don't think you would have to worry about embarrassment. I've heard and witnessed things that I'll take to my grave, not to mention my own regrets.

I'm hoping to integrate healthier food into my diet. I recently tried roasted seaweed. The initial taste was... Not great. Then it starts to melt and it's not so bad. I hear it's good with rice, so I'm hoping to try that at some point. Seaweed is very healthy, apparently. I grew up with fast food, and if it wasn't that, it was purely a "meat and potato" home. I'm just not used to greens at all. I will never like cauliflower, though. Tastes like an old woman's foot fungus, forget that noise.

I still use BC and AD. If some atheist wants to get his panties in a bunch about it, that's his business.

Taking on a healthy lifestyle (or at least 'healthier' lifestyle) can make one feel fantastic. I grew up on fast food and really wasn't that active. Best I can describe my unhealthiness is like trying to run underwater, upstream. You just feel heavy and sluggish. Like you're supposed to be a flowing brook, but you're clogged up with a bunch of mud. Always tired. You almost feel like you're experiencing some form of mild slow motion. I got tired of being tired and heavy, and pushed myself to get active. It was hard at first, but I kept at it. My body had fought me too many times, so I decided that I'd fight back. I picked up weightlifting, going on walks, and eventually, a punching bag. It felt fantastic. Started getting muscles, and I had energy. If you had asked unhealthy me if he wanted to do some leg raises, he'd say no and stay collapsed on the couch. If you ask healthier me? I'd ask if that was all we were doing. The habit of working out, I fell out of it a while ago. Not sure how to explain why, but let's just say that my sleep hasn't been as good. I'd wake up and ask myself if I felt like working out, and being in pain and having lost sleep, I decided against it, for too long. I began to feel sluggish and tired again. So I've recently picked it up once more to try and get back to where I was. Can't do nearly as much as I used to and I think it's going to be while until I can, but it feels great to be active again. Muscles are coming back and I feel better. I thank the Lord for the energy and motivation, seriously, it's great being active again. Now if only I could eat healthier, I'd be unstoppable. Need to find a way to make greens more edible without having to drown them in dressing. Far too used to burgers and pizza, to boot.

1. I'm not sure that I'd call that sin. So long as one has fellowship in some form, I'd think it would be okay. 2 and 3. My personal feelings as far as self-defence goes is that it should be with the mindset of SUBDUING the assailant, not killing them. Say you wish to defend yourself with a handgun. I would advocate this person use a low calibur and be well-practiced in aiming at the limbs rather than the important, fatal areas (torso and head). If your mindset with that gun on your hip is to kill whomever tries to attack, then that is wrong. I like to keep the mindset of stopping and subduing the assailant until proper authorities arrive, so that they can be charged and hopefully have a chance to regret their ways. However, as others have said, leave it to God. Everyone there could be outfitted with SWAT armor and mini guns, but without the Lord, it would be meaningless. Our life means little if we have lived well. I don't think it's wrong to defend yourself. Far less wrong to try and defend others (greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends). However, living in fear and paranoia, or wanting to take another's life when it might be needless, is unwise. Trust in God.

You mean by the "yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod"? Look at a person as being bread, and the yeast as that which grows it. By this statement, he is saying to avoid what both Herod and the Pharisees have in common: an unbelief in Christ.

I know it was a Matthew Santoro video. It was revealed quite a while ago that all he does is find articles online written by other people and then makes a video on it, presenting it as his own material. That's why I will admit to not watching it - I'm not going to give revenue to a thief.

I get what you mean. Every time I get behind the wheel, I have to deal with at least one other driver being a knucklehead. It's annoying. However, I don't see drones coming into use. You have to consider the cost and maintenance, as well as the workload amount vs worker limit. You've got 10 "Traffic Drone Operators/Monitors" with what is likely a large area to cover as well as hundreds of infractions daily. It would be mostly wasted money. Not to mention most authorities don't actually care about petty/minor offenses, even though they're far too common and can become big problems. I can think of two other solutions. The first would be a more extensive driving exam. Not the written part but the actual driving part. All I had to do was drive a few blocks for my test and I got my license. Convenient for time, yes, but by no means was it a true test. I did not have to parallel park, did not have to deal with different kinds of streets... So many things the driver could and probably should be tested on. Then, many of the newer cars have all these dumb little gadgets and gizmos on them to boost the price. Monitors and what not. If something is too close to your bumper, it beeps and stops itself. Why not use these little knick-knacks as a way of monitoring infractions? I don't really know how it would do that, but if it was possible, it might help. Then, rather than leave it to PDs who won't care much (and have far more pressing concerns), have it monitored by either the city or the DMV. I'm sure either one would get a real thrill out of issuing and collecting fines.

Our understanding of time is limited due to us being men. Time is actually a very complicated thing that we don't fully understand. How we understand and comprehend time might not be (and if you ask me, is most likely not) the same as how God understands or comprehends it.

Across various languages and multiple translations over the years, the name has changed. Sheol is the Hebrew and what seems to be the most accurate name. Also called the grave, hell, hades, and so forth.

These companies become more progressive not because they truly care about said issues, but because of outside pressure. A company is a business and business is money; they only want what will make them coin. They display such things, force them into the commercial, merely because they believe it to be the popular opinion and that it will win them customers. However, many companies fail to see that by putting out such a message, they also alienate potential customers and also get involved in the world of social issues, of which they have no business being in. A better strategy would be a simple commercial devoid of any political statements; use the cheap used car salesman voice, try to one-up yourself on how many times you say "lots and lots of good deals," tell a joke... These things appeal to a potential customer with minimal risk, as everyone likes a good deal and everyone likes to laugh. Yet time and time again, they never learn; can't tell if it's truly due to outside influence or if they truly are such silly goobers. In any case, i'd simply let them make fools of themselves and just avoid buying their products. Like I said, a company is a business and business is money. The coin is the only thing they understand, so as long as they make money off of it, they will continue. Honestly surprised it was actually removed the first time.