irishbeast

So i believe. That's part of the reason I asked, I didn't want to put it in OP. Someone asked me once when I was literally just turned a believer if it was a cult?! Was a bit of a strange question but we are certainly not a cult, we just sing song, study the word and consume copious amounts of tea and biscuits! Not much of a cult! The average age is about 70 - not exaggerating. have a lady who turned 100 last year so she brings the average up! Weirdly enough one of our regulars was in an actual cult once and got saved.

Easter is even better! I might do something for charity involving mass consumption of said eggs!

I hope this is not breaking the rules but I was wondering if anyone is part of the same ministry as me? Also ether or not they are attending the conference in Warsaw in March. I am thinking about it. Need to check my pennies. I didn't specifically choose it. I just made friends with the Pastor for years before setting foot in his church. When I needed Christ it seemed the obvious choice as I knew i would at least like the Pastor if nothing else! Just curious as its an American missionary and I think a lot of members are American? Ta IB

Well no cards and got the brush off from 2 alleged Christians today! One was just interested in my finances and the other was just a snob that nobody would be good enough for. Shes 50 and never had a proper relationship. I'm not surprised as I'm a real catch but i didn't measure up (no jokes about my man servant please!) to her expectations! :) Ah well. I'm not gonna change for anyone. I think I have a good heart so that's all that counts, or so they say! I'm just gonna sit in the corner staring at a photo of my old dog while playing a melancholy song on the harmonica.

There's certainly no harm in it. I must admit when I worked in offices and women were getting flowers delivered seeing them so happy and emotional was nice to see. Its a money making racket but not hurting anyone and if it helps your relationship grow stronger than its money well spent. Any particular reason for yellow roses out of interest? Just being nosey :)

I thought it was today until someone told me a few hours ago! Can anyone loan me a snow plough to clear all the cards from my drive tomorrow?

Thats really informative! I had never thought of it like that but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks foe taking the time to write that out. Much appreciated!

Thanks everyone My best friend from home called and has helped a lot. He's dealt with more grief than anyone I know. Lost 2 brothers and his Dad. That's rough Was good to talk about it instead of bottling it up. I don't have many really good friends. Hes the only one. I would trust him with my life. I just wish he was a believer! He's a very smart guy so I pray that one day He will come to Jesus of vice versa

So a friend of mine died tragically in his sleep last night. I am keeping busy so that I don't have to think about it. If I stop I know I will break down Died in his sleep. Wasn't even 40. Not sure of cause. I am so angry I feel like hitting the bottle but have managed not to for now. How do you cope with loss like that? Its different when someone is very unwell or in palliative care. I know there's no right and wrong answer but would like to hear from people.

Ah that post was 2020! Its the thought that counts :)

Good stuff. Very impressive. I'm closing in on 6 months after 30 years of heavy drinking and I mean heavy. Not bragging but have probably put away 40 pints in some sessions which is crazy. I still like the pub. Just went today with my book and laptop as theres a pub I discovered that has my favourite 3 non alcoholic drinks. Its like it was meant to be. Not like 10 years ago when you just had to have soft drinks or something rancid. Some nice drinks listed below (non alcoholic) Guinness zero Erdinger blue Old mout cider (non alcoholic version)

I decided to come to the pub to get out of the office for a bit so I am on my mobile hotspot At home i have a 1 gig connection which is insanely fast! Managed to get it half price from Virgin Media. They doubled my speed and halved my bill as I protested so much. One time when I had the 500meg connection I was trying to work and was getting 1.4 mbps and I hit the roof as thats not even 1% of what I was paying for. They do throttle some connections. They are sneaky but when their tech support realised they were out of their depth with me they cracked!

Its varies. I usually start with a quick prayer thanking God for allowing me to sleep (had crippling insomnia for almost a year) and to just guide me through the day. I try to read (well normally listen) to the bible every day either at home or when I am out walking. Some good youtube videos, beware of some contemporary language ones as they are not always very accurate. When I have stopped working for the day which is usually close to midnight i give thanks for the abundance of things I possess, and the simple things, as well as saying a prayer for anyone who needs one (sometimes myself but i never say "I want") from my church group or further afield. I need to set a dedicated time aside really for bible reading but things are a bit chaotic at the moment!

Glad you like :) Will sent you a PM later on buddy. I'm on a rubbish internet connection at the moment!

Sent earlier - Enjoy. The new stuff I made this morning I absolutely love!

Yes, that is what I hope as my Mum would fall into the low education/IQ category as she didn't have much education as shes almost completely deaf, was abused when young etc so its not her fault. She has a heart of gold and would literally starve if it meant helping someone else. She's been a carer her whole life and I really hope God has mercy. My Dad is pretty bright and when I asked him recently after church if he truly believed or if it was just for the sake of it and his response was "Well, its got to be true" thats good enough for me! My Stepdad, not very bright but doesnt have the problems Mum has but i do love him as well and not sure what I can do as he will have zero interest. I know Jesus said something like for those who don't want to hear, dust off you feet and move on, or words to that effect! My brother, part of me doesn't really care for reasons I don't want to go into a public forum. I'm not saying I want him to go to hell. I'll just leave that one be As for my own IQ well thats questionable lol. I did a test a while back and got an extraordinarily high score but I think it was a fluke as I guessed a couple and didn't want to do it again as it hurt my brain!

Ah right! Not my choice of book. I was given them by friends at church

I am a protestant so no chance of that! I avoid the catholic doctrine like the bubonic plague. Nothing against Catholics of course but I'm sure you get me :)

Cheers. I will have a look. I did try some bible apps on my phone, learn the bible in a year things. However they just just from one book to another without logical cohesion so I sacked them off and will just read it from front to back. Been given a load of books by people in church, some of which are as big as the Bible itself so they will have to wait! There's only so much reading I can do! Nice of them though! "Bible Answers" by Derek Prime and "The Bible Application Handbook" by Derek Williams which ironically is more of a shovel book as nobody has hands that large! :)

Thanks! Its really good to be able to "bind" the laws of the old Testament with the teachings of Christ. I have not read enough yet to make those sort of connections so thanks again for the response. Makes absolute sense. :)

Very eloquently put my friend and again thank you for taking the time to articulate these responses. I'm sure you get asked a lot of questions and it's great to have such knowledge being a new Christian (just over a year). We have a lady in the church who recently turned 100! She said she is still learning every day which I just found amazing

Ah yes but I'm going to counter here as I am enjoying this debate. Have you seen by any chance Jordan Peterson's series where him and a lot of intellects? Some believers and some non all get together and tear exodus and the gospels apart? It's absolutely fascinating and I love them, but some people including a few Pastors some I know, some I don't are not to keen on it; not as a concept but it may relay the idea that us mere mortals and people indeed with a lower education may feel alienated - which is the opposite of what the bible is meant to achieve. It should be accessible to all! I must admit though I had to get the dictionary out a couple of times in the OT! Of course if people go to church their Pastor/Vicar/Minister or whatever should be able to relay it to the common man - so people need to get out on Sundays!

Again I completely agree. I can't imagine a world where we didnt have to choose between right and wrong or our kids. It may be idealistic but the reality is everyone would be a clone to a degree and live the same life etc which is not what God wants clearly.

Again thanks for the, response - I genuinely appreciate the time it takes. I haven't made it as far as the verses you quoted but they provided much needed context and clarity. I'm someone for better or worse who reads slowly and likes to query things. I know the bible was never mean to be forensically examined but I can't help my inquisitive nature! The last verse is a belter :)

Totally agree. I think a lot of famous atheists do believe but they have made so much money from being famous Atheists that that won't change their stance. Dawkins being the prime example. He frustrates me!