Pipit

Well... as this conversation is on the can.... http://homepage.mac.com/pipit/.Pictures/of...0things/two.JPG (I prefered the one of the left... )

I prefer to refer to it as bio waste management (as in 'excuse me a moment, I have a bio waste management presentation to make'). Most people are oblivious to the refernce, though at university it makes you sound like an environmental science major. Never heard of 'dropping the boys off at the pond' before, though it is much more polite than most other things I've heard it called.

Where do you live InternalFlame?? umm.... no reason.... A card or a flower would have been my go... hopefully it is well received, regardless the way you express your thankyou! i think it is awesome you want to acknowledge the impact your friend made! hmmm.... There is no emoticon/smilie flowers...

Rather interesting article and conversation. I know a few places that put comic strips and such above their urinals, or some inspirational quotes. It's neat, until you end up reading one that is just way to funny (I'll let you take it from there). As for reading on the can... its much much better than just sitting there, twittering your thumbs, waiting for the pressures of life to work themselves out. If you want something good to read, get a copy of "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" which has alot of interesting 5 to 10 minute reads that can prove both informative and fun... Anyways... time for me to put a lid on this post and send it on its way!

Nearly 13 years now. I think the fall of 1993 was when Chretien and the liberals came to power. It hasn't been the happiest 4 years. It is interesting that the government is suddenly keeping some of its campaign promises that it made oh so long ago in a bid to make themselves look a bit better. Funny how a call of non-confidence suddenly creates "responsible government." What is upsetting is that oh so many people will fall for it and think 'hey, look at what the Liberals are doing, lets keep them in power despite the past' and vote them in so we can endure another 12 years of Liberal government. I am sad to say I live in a country where people will vote for a certain government because it is the government they always voted for, even if they do not agree with most of that government's policies or track record and agree more with that of the oposition (a friend of mine did door to door campaign work, alot of people vote liberal because they always voted liberal, even though they don't know what that government's policies are!) As for all the poopoo over an election over the holidays and Martin's claims that he doesn't want to have an election at that time because of so many religious holidays... like he ever cared in the past about such things as people's religous sensitivities. That, and the Easter election he aims for doesn't do much in avoiding religious holidays either... not just for Christians, but for other religions as well. Anyways... PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR US! ------------------------------------ What is wrong with our government? Politicians. What is wrong with our politicians? They are in our government! How many Liberal government officials does it take to fix a public service? We don't know... the committees are still talking about how to form a committee to decide who gets the money meant to fix it. (ouch!) What do you get when you take all the politicians out of Ottawa? You get Thunder Bay!!

Hey cutiepie. You are how old? In your mid-teens right? You are going through a time in your life when your body changes, when it begins to fill out (not FAT out, FILL out), when the little girl look begins to get replaced by the young woman look. Your features become softer and smoother, and more radiant and noticable (I should mention that I am refering primarily to facial features!), and a greater appearance of maturity comes about. As many have said, it is part of how God designed us. As well, being a size 3 instead of a size 1 DOES NOT MAKE YOU LESS BEAUTIFUL!! (in fact, I know a few girls whou could stand to gain a couple of pounds and increase a size up... those skinny stick figures with their puffy lips... but absolutely nothing on their hips! --only because it rhymns... ) Do not, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not force your body to be a size it is not suppose to be. It is emotionally, psychologically and physically unhealthy, and it is also spiritually damaging! Keep yourself healthy and active, but do not work yourself into exhustion trying to stay a size one. Do not starve yourself to keep yout weight down. And know that you are God's creation, and that you are beautiful! And not just in His eyes, but also in the eyes of so many others!!!!

I remember when I had my wisdom teeth out. One was infected and had to be pulled out because the gum was starting to rot around it (ewww!). It came out no problem. My other three were all impacted and deeply embedded and were taken out by a specialist. They put me under with IV (Dental Assistant "Count to ten backwards, when you reach 5, you will feel yourself going under" me: "10, 9..." and I was out), apparently all went well, and for the next 48 hours I was wired and couldn't sleep and felt no pain and the Tylonal 3s they gave me did absolutely nothing (I have a high drug tolerance... except to the IV they used) and there was no swelling and no indication to others that i had my wisdom teeth out. I guess I was blessed. Cuteiepie, hopefully yours go twice as good as mine, and that you are actually able to sleep comfortably when it is all done! Oh, and see if you can keep your teeth... (if you are into that sort of thing)

It is always hard to have to say goodbye to a close and dear friend, especially one in who you find so much spiritual and emotional support. Yet this is part of life's seasons, and just as we have friends enter our lives, as God brings them to us, we also need to realize that God, for His glorious reasons, sometimes seperates us from those friends. I will say this: Rejoice in the friendship that you have! Take time to dwell on it.... laugh as you remember the good times, cry as you remember the sadder ones, and give thanks to God for the glorious and wonderful fellowship that you had, and that you still have even though you are now so far apart, with this person! And, as you give thanks to God for that friend, draw closer to Him, knowing that He is the Friend who is closer than a brother. Cling to Him, and learn to daily put your hope and trust in Him. As well, know that God will not leave such a void in your life--either He will bring someone else into your life who will be a blessing to you, and likewise you to that person, or He Himself will consume you in His love and fill that void as you place yourself in His care! I am praying for you and your family, and also for your friend, that you will be blessed with peace and joy, and the fondness of your friendship and fellowship will be a happy memory that you can rejoice and give thanks in, and remind you of the Ultimate Friend that you have in Christ!

It's all about the food for me (I mean, outside of Christ). I don't think I have ever cared for presents, and my family goes a bit nuts in trying to figure out what I want for Christmas because my usual reply is "I don't care... don't really want anything"

Pray, obviously. Both for yourself, that God will give you wisdom and direction and peace of mind on this, and for her that God will rend her heart. If possible, go with her, as a friend, to the abortion clinic--don't agree with the action she is about to undertake (just because you go with her doesn't mean you support what she is about to do, and you can make that clear), but go to let her know that you as a friend will be there for her, and more so to let her know that God will always be there for her. Sadly, beyond those, your choices are limited. It is a hard place to be, willing and wanting to do something, anything, yet being limited in what you can do. At the same time, you must remember that ultimately it is your friend who makes the choice regarding what she does, despite however much you disagree with that choice and wish she would choose a different one, and ultimately the responsibility falls to her. It is sad, it is not a happy place to be in to watch a friend make choices of these matters. Pray hard, and let your friend know that you are there, and that more importantly, God is there... and always will be.

Kind of like going back to the old isolationist policies... as long as it doesn't directly affect us or hamper our way of living, don't bother getting involved. Sadly, America is becoming a the fanatic's dart board because of its involvement in other societies. Kinda a bit of a logical retort (not that I am really agreeing with it, but I think it should be pointed out): Imagine how the muslims feel when america brings democracy and semi-secular ideologies to their society? When a country is founded on Islamic principales, stick to them and stop letting others change them! Or so goes up their cry, which leads to action, which leads to bombings and terrorism. And why not? It's their way of trying to defend their ideology against those who seek to destroy it. The fundamentalist muslim has the same desire to see their religion and ideology stand as the fundamental Christian. Of course, we're more "tolerant" of others who do not share our faith, so that means we have a right to complain and they don't. We don't use violence to get our point across, they do, so that makes us more civilized and we need to civilize them! And hey, God is on our side, we can't loose! (as they think "Allah is on our side, we can't loose!") It is not that America really needs to be less namby-pamby, it just needs to be less arrogant about itself and less domineering and forceful in world afairs. It needs to step back and be a bit more isolationist... not that it will ever happen, so long as it thinks itself as the savour of the world and the fighter of freedom for all. just my rambling thoughts...

I agree. Demographically and socially America is extremely different from France. France had a policy in enforcing the mainstream rules--if you do not conform to the social and ideological norms you are an outsider to society--ie: alianated. America is more forgiving, and one can be part of the mainstream without having to give up their social and ideological ideals. France also has the history of being a colonial power that, over several muslim nations in Africa, enforced its secular ideology. The scares from such rule left on nations like Alergia (which has recently undergone a civil war), also carry themselves onto the Muslim population in France--most of whom are from nations that where once under French colonial rule. Hence, the soil to allow the seeds of disenchantment and dislike had been tilled and watered quit well over time. The U.S. is different. With the exception of the extreme fundamental Islamic sects, there are few muslims who are overly anti-American. Yes, maybe they have a dislike for America (just as many many other non-muslim people do) because of some Amerian policies, but on average, the current islamic opinion of America is more positive than negative. This does not mean that extremism will be prevented, or that there will not be any attacks on America. Not everyone wishes to be part of a mainstream in which diversity and tolerance is the sought after norm. If events happen in the States, it will be more likely the action of a few extremists, and not the mob. Anyways, when the riots in France finally faze out, one will begin to see nations begin to bring into discussion, if not into policy, legislation that will allow the government to bring control and restrict the movement of peoples in the name of protecting democracy and freedom. The socialist idea of government control will be seen as the solution to prevent a repeat of what is being seen in France. And it will work, not because it is a good thing... I will say this to close off: Would a frech style riot include throwing baguettes and wine bottles while the out of control mob sings Frere Le Jacques?

I'd rather be cold than hot any day! When it's cold, you can put on enough clothes or blankets to get warm. But when it's hot, you can only take off so much before you get arrested... and even then it doesn't help! To add to that: unless you end up in a really modern police station, it is unlikely your cell will have air conditioning! And well, we all know about the need to keep clothes on in there! LET IT SNOW!! I need a good excuse to go and by hot chocolate!

A post by Why So Blind kinda got me thinking a bit about childhood memories... and I think that it'd be great to start a thread where we can share some of our memories of life growing up. They can be good times, sad times, fun stuff, and just odd memories of our early years. Things I remember immediately when thinking about my childhood include being hit in the face by a shovel (shovel fights with my brother!) and the four or five occasions where I ran into solid objects and required stitches to put things back together. Beyond these things, there is little I recall of my childhood. Maybe one too many hits in the head while still developing has something to do with that... I do remember things like learning to tie my shoes when I was in grade one, and reading "Clifferd the Big Red Dog" and watching Ducktales on T.V. I remember swimming lessons at the Ontario Police College near Aylmer, Ontario, when my dad was a police instructor there, and swinging on the rope in our hayloft at home back in Timmins. I also remember learning to shot a .22 with my grandpa, and also learning to play Crib, and at least one trip (at the age of 4) out to the beaver dam in the woods behind our house. I also remember (and how can I forget this one!), the time me and my older brother and a cousin went 'cow surfing.' We'd grab the tale of one of the bulls and hang on as it ran through the feild. Wonder that we are all alive--and funny how at 4 years old you do such a thing without fear!! I also think it explains why at that time we started to slowly get ride of all our cows.... I think all of these are memories of events from around 6 years old, and younger. It is interesting that these are the things that stand out, and that serve as a bit of a foundation for oh so many other memories, things that I look back on with fondness (and more then a bit of laughing!)... it also reminds me that I have had an adverturous life (but don't envy me for it please!) Anyways, I look forward to reading some of your memories of childhood...

My hometown, Timmins, got a good 4 inches the other day. I am envious. hopefully it will be there when I go home this weekend!! As for my current local... we have some fluries, but all it really has done the last few weeks is rain. I WANT SNOW! Rain is too wet to bike or walk in!!

So far as I know, it is not from anyone here at WB. However, if anyone else from WB receives it, it would be interesting to know... I am replying, using a fake email address (I love my email service, I can make up addresses that I can send and receive email in, and if what I receive isn't a good thing, I can simply close that addy down and receive no more!). More for investigative purposes.....

**incomplete post-- somehow hit the 'post' button before I was done typing. I hit the 'stop' loading button and finished, only to have it post twice...**

Hey... received this in an email today. I am wondering if it is legit or not. I did a search on the internet regarding both the person named and the church mentioned. The person's name showed up once for a hit on a webforum dated August 2002, with a message asking for prayer and assistance with resources. In regards to the church, I could only find one (chartered taxation overview) regarding the church in Logas (though C&S Churches came up in a few YWAM searches). As such, information on it is sketchy regarding everything. I would like to hope that this is a legit request--and am presuming it as such--as does not ask for money, does not offer anything in return, does not ask for personal information, and instead seeks for guidence and advice of a spiritual nature. Yet I am a bit skeptical as well, as sadly, I have seen such things used to draw people into a position where they find themselves being asked for personal information and for money, and for unbiblical reasons. So, I would like to ask anyone if they have come across this before, and what their thoughts are regarding it. Hopefully someone out there will be able to fill in the blanks regarding who this person is and what their church is about, and to show it as either a legit asking for help or if there is a deeper underlying motive to it.

As there is no such thing as a "dumb question": Mark I, where did you learn to write sentences and paragraphs? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The problem with education today is that it is subjective, and not objective (note that I am saying this from a Canadian understanding--and as someone who has seen how we teach our teachers to teach students). Logical reasoning based on facts is replaced by emotional tolerance (you base your choices on how you feel, not on what you know). Fact is slowly fictionalized and truth is vandalized. As such, the underlying ideology of teaching is that everything is to be measured and judged true or false, fact or fiction, based on feelings and opinons. Objective study of history (or science, or english, or social studies) is slowly moved out the door. Why? Less what we teach as objective fact offends someone. As for the students: the school systems no longer encourage learning or presents the challenge to learn. And so students, because they know they can pass with minimal effort do not make any effort to learn. And, because playing the X-Box is more fun then learning about the political climate fueled World War 1, and MTV is more entertaining then the news, they don't bother with those subjects (why learn, its boring? lets have fun). It is the T.V.-Entertain Me! generation! In fact, if there is any indication that this latest (18 and under) generation has been lost to the TV and game systems, its the increased development of 'entertainment-educational' games aimed at the 5-10 age group that are coming onto the market. Its the admission that outside of those systems, we can not longer 'effective' teach or communication knowledge to those kids.

Equating health and properity to faith is a doctrine of the pharisees. Equating lack of health and prosperity to lack of faith is equally a doctrine of the pharisees. I agree with that. It seems we have developed, in the west, the mindset that because we have faith, we should automatically receive. We need to be careful when it comes to how we relate one's faith to one's well-being. There are many who are faithful in their devotion to God who live in poverty, though they did not seek it--yet they are still faithful despite it. There are many who are faith who are wealthy, though they did not seek it--yet they too are still faithful (though it seems most who become wealthy become less faithful ). Likewise, there are those who are faithless, or who are literally evil and corrupt, who live in wealth and health despite their life styles, and it seems unfair that they have such things. Yet there are others who are exactly the same way, yet who are in poverty. The rain falls both on the wicked and the righteous, just as disaster can come to both. If anything stands as good Biblical advice right now, I think it would be this: Read Matthew 6:25-34... do not worry... seek God first, and everything that you need (not want, but need) will be provided to you. Youll notice i said ALOT of the time... not all of the time. I know this from personal experience. I just couldnt grasp God's healing power. I couldnt believe that it was for today. People prayed for my healing, and id be sort of hoping, maybe... no. Then God showed me truth and i believed and was healed. My faith healed me. Just like Jesus said to the woman with the blood issue, it was her faith in his ability to heal that healed her. So i say again. ALOT of the time, its a faith issue, that is not a "pharisee statement". I guess i should have expanded a wee bit on where I was going... I am not saying that we should not have faith when it comes to matters of health and wealth (Matthrew 6:25-34 requires faith in God's provision), I am saying we should be careful in how we relate faith to it. Such things as the prosperity gospel have made it seem that if you don't have lots of things or are healthy, you don't have real faith. Health and wealth and so forth should not be used as a means to guage one's faith, and one's faith should not be dependent on the state of one's health or on someone's bank account.

I want to add a 7th to that list: DON'T JUST SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING! Do not worry about trying to figure out your calling-- simply be faithful and obedient to God in your daily walk. Don't be afraid to try things, to explore, to go and do!... but do so with a desire to glorying and honor God, and to be used by Him. You may just suddenly find yourself right where God wants you to be... as He will lead you to that place.

Equating health and properity to faith is a doctrine of the pharisees. Equating lack of health and prosperity to lack of faith is equally a doctrine of the pharisees. I agree with that. It seems we have developed, in the west, the mindset that because we have faith, we should automatically receive. We need to be careful when it comes to how we relate one's faith to one's well-being. There are many who are faithful in their devotion to God who live in poverty, though they did not seek it--yet they are still faithful despite it. There are many who are faith who are wealthy, though they did not seek it--yet they too are still faithful (though it seems most who become wealthy become less faithful ). Likewise, there are those who are faithless, or who are literally evil and corrupt, who live in wealth and health despite their life styles, and it seems unfair that they have such things. Yet there are others who are exactly the same way, yet who are in poverty. The rain falls both on the wicked and the righteous, just as disaster can come to both. If anything stands as good Biblical advice right now, I think it would be this: Read Matthew 6:25-34... do not worry... seek God first, and everything that you need (not want, but need) will be provided to you.

Ahhh.... I remember seeing that one. It was a beautiful sight. In early October this year we also had a nice green aurora. There has been a few times, usually in late January/early February, that the auroras are so bright you can see your shadow clearly in them, and see the reflection of their colors in the snow. I have seen them with greens, purples, blues, pinks, and a few other colors, spread across from east to west. Beautiful beautiful sight! Thanks for sharing!

I think it should be: 'Work the work God gives you to work, use what you need to live with (without having 30 pairs of shoes) and give the excess to ministry (may it be the poor, the fatherless or the widow).' Is it wrong to want things? Depends on what it is we want after and what our motive is for wanting it. Obviously, if we seek after things for selfish reasons, that is a wrong motive and reason to want. Likewise, wanting after things that are not pleasing to God or that are sinful is wrong. And wanting things above desiring after God is also wrong. But that does not mean it is wrong to want after everything. This though, should be the consideration: Do our wants, may it be in career and pay-cheque, in the car we drive, the house we live in, etc., reflect our calling as Christians and the desires God has for our lives? How do the things we want after and seek after reflect what God wants for us and to provide us with? As for "why do some have it all?" I do not know why. But we should not look at those who have plenty and want what they have-- that is coveting. Those who have much, and who have little, should consider what James 1:9-11 says.

TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!! some of us may never get to see Israel, so we need to live it through other people...