TEXASGRANDMA

------------- I think you are on to something. If it is family members who complain remind them that they have known you a long time and they should know by now you are a emotional person. After thinking about your post, I realize if I had allowed myself to have showed some emotions, I would have not been on nerve pills. But then in my family, if I had shown the emotions, by mom and dad would not have been able to hold it together. I guess when it comes to grief there truly is no right or wrong way. I do think my sisters mother-in-law was out of line, but that is a whole different ball of wax. God bless you and thank you for sharing your thoughts on this because it helps us all to see things from different perspectives. betty

The closest I am to the person who died, the less I am likely to be emotional at a funeral. When my sister died, I had to be strong for my mom and dad. I am the oldest and I knew what was expected of me. This did not mean I did not take her death hard. I ended up not sleeping for a month and getting on nerve pills. My sister's mother in law, who treated her like a dog carried on like she was going to pass out where as my mom and dad bore their grief with dignity. Truth is that we all react to funerals differently and tears or like of tears do not always show the true feelings of the heart. When my uncle died, his ex wife showed up making a scene, but when she found out that he had not mention her in his will, she left in a huff. This said only a person knows what is in their heart and people have to be allowed to grief in their own way.

These results came up before my different people and sadly the result were soon buried by the media, who do not want to offend those who have had abortions and those who commit this murder for a living.

Pray for your Pastor. Sounds like he is having a hard time right now. My sister and her husband took over a Church that was in finacial ruins after the former Pastor left and took half the people with them. So, I can tell you that it is hard for a Pastor. Mind you I think yelling at the congergation is not the answer. But, we do stupid stuff out of fear. Maybe the board members could have a private talk with the Pastor. betty

I have no idea what I would do. But, I pray that God would give me the strength and courage to stand for Him, even unto death. betty

When you purchase the book or pay to see this movie, you are endorsing it. Every Preacher I have heard has advised Christians to stay away from this filth. If you use the excuse by seeing the movie you can use it as a wittness tool, you might as well say, that if I work as a prostitute for a a night, I can wittness to ladies of the evening. In other words, God never told us to get involved in sin to wittness. I have no intention of buying the book or going to see the movie. betty

I love Christmas. I love the way it brings out the best in most people, but Easter is the greatest Holiday for a Christian. As Paul said, without the resurrection there is no hope of salvation. Easter is a day to give extra thanks for the wonderful gift God gave us.

Hubby and I are both shy around people who are not family. The first thing we tell a new Pastor is please do not call us to pray out loud. Everyone has always honored our request. Someone told me that God knew we were shy when He saved us. That He is not upset or shocked about this. I can remember when I gave my first oral report in English. I stood up and said Lasie is a dog and then fled the room in tears. Teacher actually gave me a B for effort. In my small group Bible study I can read the Bible out loud but I get kind of embarrased because I don't pronounce all the words right. betty

And who's fault is that? If Christians didn't tell their children, "Don't be an actor, be a pastor" we probably wouldn't have this problem. If a child is talented in that way, towards the arts, then we need to help him achieve that goal in a Christ-centered way.

I am blessed to be a member of a local Church that puts Jesus first. Our Pastor preaches the truth of the Gospel. Working for Jesus and giving to missions is more important to our Church then new carpet. Before we move to Washington State we had a similar Church in Texas. The truth is there are lot of Churhes out there that serve God. It taked time and effort to find one. When we moved here to Washington, it took us over a year to find a Church home. But we did not give up. betty

I don't think there should be a problem, if he doesn't. My son dated a lady a couple years older then him. Age was never a problem in their relationship. They broke up because she was not a Chrisitan and he realized that was not God wanted for his life. betty

I am not Jewish so, I go to Church on Sunday. I have had to work on Sunday's in the past. Even when I did not have a job, I had to cook and clean and wash clothes, because I am a mom. But, as a Christian we can be in mode of worship every day of the week. betty

I love studying the end times. After 5 studies I have come to believe in the pre-trib. I have no issues with people believing differently then me. But after much prayer, God has given me peace in my belief and I am a happy camper.

A few years ago a car commercial claimed that their car would save your soul. I sent in a complaint in among others and it was cancelled quickly. betty

This is where my daughter and I disagree. I am a firm believer in the trinity, but I still love her very much. betty

11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. This is from the book of John Jesus was talking to Pilate about the Jews. So, I do believe that Jesus saw it as murder. Yes, I am thankful for Jesus being willing to die for me. But, yes the Jews did sin, Jesus said so, Himself. Am I judging them? No way. I am a sinful person by nature, saved by God's grace. betty

A year ago they did a report in the paper about teens and the gay lifestyle. The media said that they intervied many kids at the local schools, who claim to be gay but as they talked to them, it became apparant that they were not gay. It seems it is popular to be gay in our schools today. This I blame on TV and movies. The longer the media glorify this sinful lifestyle, the more confused are youth become. betty

Do you honestly believe that Jesus would promote shows that have a homosexual agenda? The Golden Globe Awards showed Hollywood's colors. One winner being a movie that romantizes homosexual relationships and another that glorifies suicide bombers. There are those today who see nothing wrong with sex between adults and children and people and animals. Without censorship there is no end to what Hollywood would promote. betty

The fear of censorship is often used to promote many things that should not be seen. Here in Washington State when Access TV cancelled a program because it was x-rated, the producer used the same complaint, censorship. The truth is censorship is often used in our daily lives to protect people. You can

--------- There is a difference in a horror book and a book that wants to distort the Word of God all under the cover of being a book about relegion. betty

What is minimum wage over there? As to tithing .... a resourceful way would be to give 10% of your time or something like that to the Lord when your not getting any money - just a thought. ----------- I tithe when I worked at a minimum wage job. The mininmum wage in Washington State just went to 8.01, but we have the highest mininmum wage in the Country. If you are not working you cannot pay your tithes. That is understandable. Is it possible the freelance job can open new doors for you? My son in law started out in free lancing himself before getting a more hours. betty P.S. the last job I had was in Texas at 5.15 hour. Texas has a much lower mininimum wage than Washington

-------------- catsmeow, I must say I agree with you. I do think God uses illness sometimes to soften a person's heart, but being disabled myself, I can never condemn anyone for having a illness or a disabililty. Yes, we should pray for Mr. Sharon's salvation and for his family's salvation. May God use this tragedy for his glory. While it is true that God may have used this stroke for His own reason, as Christians are hearts should be filled with love and prayers for Mr. Sharon and not condemnation. Although I think that Pat could have been right, he should have spoken with love and more respect for the man. It is easy to condem but it often harder to have a heart of compassion. I believe Mr. Sharon was wrong to divide Israel but then so is our own President who withheld money from Israel to make them do what he wanted, so in reality America is more to blame then Israel. But this is not the time to condemn but to pray for Mr. Sharon and God's protection over the country of Israel. betty

--------------- but maybe you are of line judging Pat, too. I do know of one person who God used a stoke to bring him to salvation. I know of a lady who's husband was saved because she became crippled and he begin coming to Church with her becuase she could not drive and he became saved because of her illness. I do know the Bible is against Israel being divided. I do know know if Sharon was punished by God. I do not know if Pat was wrong. I just leave them both in God's hands. He knows alot more than me. betty

You're right cats. I've always believed the 3 biggest problems of Christianity has been Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and James Dobson. Their statements have made people turn away from Christ. -------------- I disagree. I think the problem with Christians today is that we think we are above being punished by God. That we are some how the golden children that are some how above the dear Saints of the Old Testament. Because we like to hide our heads in the sand and pretend that God is only a God of love we get all out of joint , when Jerry Falwell, Pat Roberstson and James Dobson speak the truth. We have become no better than New Agers who have made a "god" who is only capable of love but never acts out in judgment. Yes God Is a God of love but He is still the same God of the Old Testament and we would be wise to remember that. We need to stop hiding from the truth and seek God for guidance and pray for mercy for ourselves and for out Country. betty

The Palestines have made it clear that they will not be happy until Israel cesaes to exsit and yet, Israel is pressured into giving her land up to them piece by piece. Yes, I do believe Sharon made a mistake and so did President Bush and his puppet Rice. betty God gave the Jewish people Israel