InternalFlame

Had an odd but meaningful dream, and I'm wondering if there are any interpreters out there? I feel like this dream has some significance to me because I have had a hard time lately, and this might be God's word to me... I dreamt I had to participate in a sort of obstacle course...it was a twisted course though because it was an obstacle course of the mind, where the obsticals were not physical but mental. This was unknown to the participants, and the course was in the form of a busy city in ancient Japan. There were traps but they were of course different than the usual idea of a trap. I fell into one which was a small room. There was a table and two glasses, next to the table there was a bowl of water and a pitcher of water, there was also a blindfolded woman. On a whim I poured a little of the water from the pitcher into the bowl. I knew that looks were deceiving and that the woman, though blindfolded was a force to be reckoned with; if I tried to simply walk out of the trap I would fail, the woman would stop me. The woman then asked me to give her a glass of water from the pitcher and not the bowl because the water within the bowl was poison. I was suddenly relieved I didn

I understand the need for the ten-post rule, and I believe it is necessary to keep out the spammers. However, I find that we perhaps may loose a lot of searching people because we cannot PM them when they have an issue that should be kept more private and is better dealt one-on-one. My suggestion is that the rule stays the same with one amendment: Established worthy members can PM the newcomer, and the newcomer can only reply to PM's they have received until they pass the ten post limit. What do you guys think?

I never had a problem with being nervous when I was flying with someone I knew, but when flying alone I find that I am nervous and jumpy at every bit of turbulence. Anyone with similar problems have any advice on dealing with it? Other than the usual; I know the statistics, but there's always SOME chance of it happening and that's what bugs me. Usually when I'm nervous I seek out people, being with people helps me a lot but I can't get that with this flight, so I need to figure out how to deal, last time I went alone certainly was no picnic...

I used to drink caffeine all the time and it never effected me; then one day I just couldn't drink it any more. The least bit of caffeine would make my heart race, so I stopped drinking it and felt tons better overall. Besides, as far as pop goes there is a caffeine-free coke and pepsi that isn't diet, just caffeine free and it doesn't taste any different, so it's not like you're giving up much! I've never had a cup of coffee in my life, all it takes is fifteen minutes and I'm awake naturally...I think that most people could do that but they're psychologically addicted to caffeine

It's true in some aspects: different paths, but with the same conclusion in mind, truth. but also meaning, I search for both truth and meaning, myself. This is why I don't usually debate...I don't know that many people have been convinced through debate anyway, so I leave it alone. Often when people do debate it isn't really about convincing a person but about them validating their own beliefs by arguing them (happens on both sides), which is the wrong reason to do so. I think It's better for both parties to present their beliefs, and instead of them challenging each other simply go their separate ways and let the exchange of knowledge help them on their own quest for truth. It doesn't HAVE to be a contest. If they were to ever agree to what you said I think it would come later in their own introspection anyway. My take on it anyway

It is important to be child-like because children believe without question being childish is making decisions and doing actions which are immature, and done without a good understanding of the world, spiritual and physical alike.

it already has being that I am a delivery driver! but God has been providing for me in this hard time and He will get us through this mess!

I was lucky enough to find one last gas station t 3.27 before it jumped. Holy cow! This is outrageous...why do I fail to believe their story is the whole explaination? Because I sure feel like I'm being taken advantage of...

I think I know what you mean...I've gone through stages in my life where it feels like I'm forceing it...and that's just the problem! We can't force ourselves to be more faithful by reading a lot of Bible or going to Church every sabbath, because it can't come from the brain...it has to come from God, and the spirit. There is no set way on how we grow as a Christian because the journey is different for every person. Only God knows the answer to this question for you. Set aside time to spend with Him, ask Him questions, and if you listen and follow you will grow. but here is what I learned, and what has worked for me in these areas, I hope it might help: 1. Bible study...to me, I have learned that quantity is not quality. Perhaps you are not getting as much as you could out of it because by setting a number of chapters to read it's more like a school assignment? Sometimes I can get the most meaningful lessons from one small quote, and hours of contemplation can come from one verse. Maybe this could work for you too? 2. Me too, I know exactly how you feel. I am often plagued with doubt...'am I a good Christian' 'do I really follow Jesus' and all those wonderful 'what if's' We all have doubts...heck, even Jesus' disciples had doubt and they were right there with Him! It's a part of our nature to doubt, so don't let that bother you...just keep telling yourself that God is taking care of you, He wants you to learn and to grow...He will lead you...just make sure you keep your eyes and ears open! 3. I have a problem with this too, but I try to keep telling myself to not let fear stop me, and now I have a good reason. My boyfriend, whom I am deeply in love with, was once a solid agnostic. I thought if I even brought up God he would just laugh at me, and so out of fear of ridicule I didn't bring it up...not to mention I didn't know what I would say! But God kept telling me to witness to him, and when I did, it turns out he was actually interested, and soon we did Bible studies together. Soon after he became a Christian, and we then began to date...now he's an even stronger Christian than me, I think, and he often has revelations and guidances that I would never have thought of...the spirit really guides him...and as far as not knowing what to say, I was surprised to find that when the time came, I had no trouble. Jesus said not to worry what you would say...because the Holy Spirit will give you the words. Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite even when I give advice like this because I don't follow it all the time, but when I saw this post I felt called to write something. God calls us to witness...ask Him for the passion that you need to convince yourself, so that you can convince others. This is just an observation, but it seems like you are going through a period of spiritual sleep...where everything seems kind of flat and not as important as it once seemed? Like you're just going through the motions now? I will pray for you may your journey be filled with God's light

actually there is a very good reason for asking this question. If there were even the possibilty of bringing an idividual into this world without a soul, would you even want to do that? Technology is so far advanced to the ethic issues that that technology raises, and I think we should all be aware of it and discussing it... Actually, I have to agree on that. Maybe not neccesarily a human, but an AI, a robot. What if technology advances enough to create an android that thinks and feels? What then? Although I have to wonder, perhaps thought and feeling is impossible without a soul. Maybe it is impossible for a human body to be animated without a soul, impossible for it to even work and that is why cloneing, and createing a better AI have failed so far?

I've always thought this too...science and religion don't have to be at odds. I always thought that science is merely a partial understanding, as we see it, of the way things work. Science is a creation of man, it is our understanding of the universe and how it works, however there are many things that we cannot perceive, so it's arrogant to think that we can know how everything works on every level. There are so many layers to everything, and we can see a few. God can see them all, created them all. So perhaps science is simply a glimpse into the inner workings of God's creation, and because it is just a glimpse people get confused. Maybe? I dunno, what do you guys think? I could just be spouting nonsense

I would say that your mother is looking for attention in any way she can, but she's too proud to just ask you, she wants to force you "don't come unless you come for three days". She is hurting and lonely but doesn't want to admit it. I would pray for her, and try to talk with her, heart to heart and tell her you guys can be completely honest with each other. Make it clear that she doesn't have to manipulate you into coming, that you would come if she just asked nicely. If two days doesn't cut it for her tell her that it's what you can give, and you want to give it if she would let you. People can become unreasonable when they are hurt and alone, I know, I've been there. The best you can do is be loving and patient with her, and be clear that manipulation will not work with you.

For a long time now, no matter what I try it seems I get weaker and weaker. I hardly ever resist temptation any more, I don't do anything good for anyone else and I feel like dirt because I'm so weak. I try to get out of it but it's like climbing through molassas...when I fall into sin I KNOW that I am sinning but I don't stop and then feel horrid after. I pray but I feel like my prayers don't get through because I don't MEAN them enough, and I'm plagued with doubt about God. It seems that I always forget or something gets in the way when it comes to Bible studies and praying as well. I can see that I'm seriously under attack by the enemy but I don't know how to fight it. What's worse is that my boyfriend is also under attack as well, and I don't know how to help him either...I need serious advice and prayers... Also to compound everything my boyfriend lives thousands of miles away, and it's been more than three months since I have last seen him. We miss each other so much, and it hurts...I don't know what to do about it, it's almost hard to even talk to him any more because I can't see him and it hurts to just talk to him and not be able to touch him. I know the enemy is using this pain as an open door to get to me as well...so advice on how to deal with long distance relationships would help too

I was up in Banf (sp?) in Alberta and it was pretty darn cold. My digital camera just up and stopped working...I think the big problem is just with the batteries freezing and also, condensation. If you bring the camera from cold to hot to cold again (indoors to outdoors) condensation can form inside the camera and it can stop working until the condensation goes away. Either way, time will fix it, my camera is fine now and I got some really great photos!

Thanks for the comments so far...they have helped some. Please pray for me too that I can put this from my mind and concentrate on God

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/257543.htm that's the link to the article...in the article he takes a post I made and attacks it. It was my fault for not properly citing the web site I got it from, but I find myself saddened that he assumed so much from just some informal speculations I made...not sure where to go with this...

I have an agnostic friend, and last night he brought up the topic of evolution. I've willingly avoided this subject before because I don't really like it, so I know little about it, and couldn't really make a good argument for creationism. Is it pointless to argue with them and should I avoid it alltogether, or should I say something? And say what? He says that evolution doesn't challenge our faith, but he also thinks that humans evolved from apes. Advice on what to say to him/and or a good argument for creationism based in science.

It's best to be honest, and break it off as soon as you can. Dragging it out longer than you should will only hurt him more. It'll be hard, but it's worth it...and it's something you have to learn. My advice would be to take a break after this from dating as well...let yourself grow, and problems like this when you face them again will be a lot easier to handle.

There's nothing wrong with you...you're just like every other girl on the planet. Most of us have doubts about the way we look at one time or another, even the people you see as skinny and pretty! The funny thing is, is that I bet there are some girls who look at you and think the same things that you think when you look at those "skinny pretty" people. The thing is, we aren't perfect, nor will we ever be. But that's just human. My boyfriend says he loves me because I'm perfect, but that I'm perfect because of my flaws. Things you see as flaws are just a part of who you are. I used to think I was the ugliest thing that walked the earth. I was teased and rejected throughout my life, but so many people recently have said that I was beautiful, and not just because of what was outside, but because of what was inside. I didn't want to beleive it either, but they all insisted. The inside is the most important, for example, you have a beautiful smile . A smile really shows the inner person, I think. My boyfriend would always seem to think he's ugly, and that I was out of his league, that I deserved better when he didn't realize that in my eyes he was the most handsome, wonderful guy I could have ever choosen; and I tell him as much all the time! I bet that guy who likes you may think the same! I don't think he sees what you consider as your flaws, he just sees you for who you are, and likes that. On an ending note, celebrities don't count, because most of it is airbrushing anyway watch this for an example: http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/flat4.asp?id=6909 It's really scary how much we distort true beauty. In any case, if it really still bugs you, I often feel better about myself if I carve out some time to do some exercise each day, or instead of having chips for a snack, I have some cucumbers flavored with lemon pepper. Little things like that can make you feel better, you don't need to do anything drastic like go on a big diet or whatever...not to mention if you do work out you really feel like you earned that chocolate bar at the end of the day

No matter what side it's on...torture and maiming/murdering is wrong.

That really spoke to me today...haveing a hard time with the boss. I needed this - thanks

Good point . God hides wisdom everywhere

I have a friend whom I am witnessing to...he says he wants to beleive, but doesn't know how. At this, I didn't know what to say...for a long time now I just have beleived and never thought of how. How is it that we come onto beleif? How can I answer him when he asks how to beleive?

I did read the entire thing, but this is the part I did not understand. But now I think I get it, thanks everyone

1 Timothy 2: 15But women[a] will be saved through childbearing Does this mean that women are not saved if they do not bear children (if they are able, that is)? Because I myself am not sure I want to ever have children of my own...I would rather adopt as I am of the mind of why make more children when there are ones still without homes...