kittylover0991

Um, heh, like neb said, I dont' want to post too much out here on the "open forum", but to say it..... I don't know what you guys are doing (prayer wise i mean), but it's working, and I don't think I've EVER seen God work so much, so fast, in my life.... Update later, but to put it out there, good for getting on the computer, gonna have cell phone back next week, he told me he loved me last night, somehow its working out. They might even start taking me to church again, and it looks like I'll still be in this house till I graduate, and then move with them during the summer, and it looks like they are still going to pay for my college. (Oh yeah, my dad and I even got some laughs in ) Don't ask me how that all worked out. I can only say God. Thank you SOOOOOOOO very much for your prayers, and updates later In Christ, Crys

Aw, thanks neb, this made me cry Thank you everyone so much for your prayers....thank you so much. A lady at my church is going to inform my pastor for me about what's going on, but she asked about him asking everyone to pray about it, but I requested that she not because I feel terrible responsible for most of this. I now wish she had asked.... but thank you for your prayers, prayers mean so very much to me....

I tried talking to him today, just to apologize, but he started talking to my mom to say that if I wanted to tell him anything, I had to tell her, and have her tell him.

Hey everyone, I just want to give the heads up that I might not be on for a while. My parents called the cops on me last night for "assault" but the cops took it as basically nothing... my dad took something and went way overboard with it, but they have taken away all phones, and all internet. However, it seems that while my dad is as work, my mom and brother let me on the computer, and at least on the home phone, though my dad has taken away my cell phone, and has told me to leave and never come back. That's the short version, and I'm not claiming innocence by a long shot in this, but just want to put it out there that I may be on later tonight, I may even be on tomorrow, but then again, I may not be on a for a few months. I don't know. I'll miss you all for however long Crys

I have a couple Kinda like we all say our favorite hymn is "....." but in actuality, we only have like 42 favorites And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2Cr 12:9-10 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov 3:5-6 Phl 3:12

Oh Wait!!! Sorry, third one! I DIDN"T SEE NIGHT ON THAT LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I *Loved* reading Night!!!! I know, that sounds terrible lol Night is very vivid, it's deep, it makes you think, it's gives an indepth story of a boy (and his father) traveling through the Holocaust and the end of the novel is striking in the sense of a line that I have not forgotten as of four years later! Of all the books we've read in the IB program, most of us agree that Night was the best. It's an intriguing, yet heart-wrentching novel Night, Diary and Anne Frank, and Antigone are the three that I'd recommend of the ones I've read

Oh yes, as for "Oedipus Rex by Homer": I read "the Oddssey" by Homer in 10th grade. I never read Oedipus, but I remember that the Oddessey was QUITE graphic, particular in things of a sensual nature.... Just having read the Oddseey, I woudln't read Oedipus for fear of that alone (there was a lot of sexual scenes and things with nymphs). I wish I could help more, I know you can't base one book too much on the fact that it was written by the same author, Fitzgeral's best was the Great Gatsby and Shakespeare's Romeo Juliet was not his best work, but it was written by the same author and thus I woudl be weary of it.

Hey I wish I had more, but I read Diary of Anne Frank in 8th grade and to the best of my knowledge, it was VERY insightful, and I don't remember much specifically, however, I do have a warning against a book. "Things Fall Apart" by Achebe is probably not one you'd want to teach as a Christian. While it teaches about differnt cultures (such as shown in the home town, Umowfia) and there are different traditions as shown by like the "chi" through the different tribes, and I must say, it has great symbolism such as with the "yams" being the male crop, and the locusts and broken trees forshadowing later on in the book, it also brings in Chrsitians missionaries around the end of the novel. There is the first part with Dr. Smith who cames and helps the Achebe people, but then the second group of missionaries come in (this about where I stopped listening) and there were parts of the villages that were burned, they tricked the village people into being captured by the Commissioner and if I heard correctly, thrown into jail, or something along those lines. The point is, it's GREAT for showing how we need to be open minded etc, and it's great for showing how we need to respect other's about beliefs, but it's tears down the Lord Jesus Christ by using the example of Christians forcing their beliefs on other people. It's great for saying that we need to be understanding of others, but it tears down the picture of Christianity as a whole (trust me, goes into some deep conversations depending on the level of the class), one that has already been brought down enough. We just read this book in class about a month ago so it's still pretty fresh in my mind. There isn't anything of an "off color nature" that I recall, I stopped reading after a while, but I woudln't recommend it for 10th graders who are probably being taught "the corruption of society" as we were.. if that is what is taught. I'm sorry... hope this helps.

The problem is, he sits right next to me in one of my classes... sitting down, I can't just walk away during a class lecture.

Yeah, she did.... The problem is, I've known him for four years now, and we are both in the same program in school, so we are with the same approx 80 people in all of our core classes, so I've been in MANY classes with him, and then I'm with him in two classes this year, one each day, and he's even told me about two years ago that he counts me as a friend.... he's been there for me through A LOT and it's hard to break it off. Here's the new thing, I've tried breaking it off... first a warning in the sense that I didn't want to, and of course, I kept saying over and over that I cared about him, but told him that there were certain things I coudln't do spiritually etc, and if a, b, and/or c kept up, then .... well, if it means breaking things off, so be it. He told me flat out that it was ridiculous.... I tried to ignore it, but he said something I was like "*******(Insert his name here)!!!!" and he said "oh, you'll forgive me!", brushed it off, and continued.... I told him like a week later that this was going to be have to be it... I told him that I coudln't ask him to change anything, so I said I was going to change a couple things (listed like one or two) but I said that that was going to have to be it. The next day... we were in bio... he came up behind me, put his hands around my eyes, and said "Guess who!" and being me, and that I sitll want to be close to him as a friend (it was never more btw), I took a random guess, which ended up being close, and he said "no, the poke-e-monster" and he spoked me on my sides, so I jumped and giggled, the usual.... I haven't done much since, except I moved one seat over in one of the classes and that seemed to make a small difference, and ptl we sit four seats down from each other in the other class... but yeah.... that's about it

Hey Everyone, I know that the other thraed was closed for a reason, and thus I don't want to start up a new thread on a topic that has been beat to death, as the admin said herself However, I do want to say I'm sorry that it was a long time before I came back and tried to post on that thread, being that it's hectic right now between work, school, and church, being that it's my last year of high school and we are moving in about a month and a half, and I ended up forgetting that I had even posted an important thread on here, despite that I was basically desperate for answers on the question. On the other hand, I also want to apologize for how the question came out.. fortunately, this is not a question in my own life personally, but it was a question that I was asked, or rather, at least the subject emerged, dealing with someone who is close to my heart, and I didn't have an answer besides "let God work, see how He works it out becuase there's nothing we can do about it". There is contridiction between two people's opinions who are very dear to my heart (well, maybe more than two) and that was the original reason for the thread. I'm sorry I wasn't here in order to answer questions that were asked, ideas that were brought up, etc, and I'm sorry that I didn't give a clear reasoning for asking the question, which made it appear that I was saying that anyone may be less spiritual for being "immodest" or for not having the conviction dealing with pants being immodest. I firmly believe that it's in God's Word, but I also know it's somethign that Holy Spirit has to convict about. Okay, trying to start up the thread again Sorry Anway, again, I just want to apologize. I'm sorry. Thank you everyone for your posts, your thoughts, and your ideas, scripture references, and opinions. In Christ, Crys

Sorry it's been so while! been busy with school! Yeah, go figure, I am kind of looking for help in this, but not entirely sure where to turn. I don't want to do it, but there are things that we have talked about, said, and done, that aren't Christ like, and I've since set standards up in my life not to do them, and since then, I've asked him not to, but he has no "respect" for that... and he even tells me that he isn't going to change, and I don't feel it's right to change him. I'm afraid of hurting him, but I'm becoming more and more afraid of not doing what God says to do.

I'm not trying to be nosey, etc, if you don't want to say, that's fine... but may I ask what you mean? Well I knew for a long time that the friendship had turned sour, for me anyway, but I just couldn't let go of "what had been" all of the memories and good times, stood in the way of what was actually happening now. When a friendship, or relationship of any kind.....causes you pain in your spiritual life, and causes dread and anguish in the physical one as well. Its past time to let go! but how???????

I'm not trying to be nosey, etc, if you don't want to say, that's fine... but may I ask what you mean?

Hey, Well, I'll keep this one short and sweet and simple, just like pastors always say they will right? (Note: A wise man once said: "The mind can no longer contain when the bottom can no longer sustain") Is there anyone who feels it's ever right to break off a friendship with someone? Specifically, someone who isn't saved? Keeping it mind.... it is easier for someone to pull you down, than for you to pull them up. Crys

Hey Everyone Once again, as usual, the title of the post explains it all I don't like to exclude people from this post, but I REALLY dont' want it to turn into an argument/discussion about what is and is not modest, since we all obviously disagree heavily on the matter. However, here's the question, considering that the bible says that women are to adorn themselves in modest apparrel, and pants are immodest, what about a new Christian? I mean.... we have rules for certain things that the lady or woman should be wearing something modest, and typically, that comes with conviction and she grows in the Lord. However, I've herad some people say that on visitation, no pants whatsoever, no matter who they are. That's great and all, but I can't see telling a new Chrsitian that they have to wear a skirt or a dress when it is not yet a conviction in their life. Thoughts?

I really don't have a huge problem with the ratings, especially considering that most people don't put anything below a four or a five, or at least, I've never seen it.. I often do it if it's a thread that seems to be ignored, it's floating off the page and it's REALLY important, but most have missed it, and I'm guilty of this, because it's not something of a fun debate, etc. I know, a lot of people read and don't post, but a lot of people see the title or whatever, and don't read. I use it sometimes to catch someone's attention, and then also, if I read a thread that is REALLY REALLY good, I mean it could be something like "Wow, this was such a blessing!" I might put some stars on it In hopes that others will read it and it'll be a blessing to them as well It has NOTHING to do with rating other people God bless! Crys

Wait... so does McCain support homosexuality or not? And he is against abortion, yet he's for stem cell research? .... I'm not understanding.

Hey Mamato A pleasure to meet you I have to be honest, I don't have kids (yet ) and I've grown up in a home with unsaved parents, but I have heard of a few women at my church over the years who have done the whole Easter bunny thing. I don't agree with it really, but you're not alone. I have to be honest, I think it was kind of fun as a kid doing easter egg hunts, etc, but the importance should be focused around Christ for sure... Like, why is it around Christmas time we taboo Santa (no arguments there), but we still do things like "Secret snowman". I'm sorry I'm a little scattered brained at the moment... I do'nt really celebrate Easter except for whatever we do at my church, and I know that at my church, it isn't supported to do the whole easter egg hunt thing, but I guess there isn't too much of an issue as long as they know what Easter is all about right? It's like we're saying "The easter bunny is coming to town" We still give gifts are Christmas time. I think this is something that maybe you and your husband should be pray about, search the scriptures, and find God's will on it for your children because there are many different ideas on this topic, and you're probably just going to get people's opinions, which are great, but it's for your kids. I hope this helps somehow, praying for you

Heh, okay, so let's add more to the list shall we? (Sorry, tad frustrated by this point) So, I talked to my youth pastor this mornign who said that if I need to get baptized, don't be afriad about it. However, need to talk to pastor. So, I talkedt o pastor before evening service tonight, who told me to go up to the front at the end of the service, during the invitation hymn, in order to basically make it public that I was going to get baptized. So.... that's fine and dandy, right? Sure... adrenaline rush, really wanted to hide, etc. here now is where my frustration is at.... The reason this even came up is because I was talking to someone who is kind of like a dad to my spiritually, his wife my sister/mom (do'nt ask lol not sure how that worked out), but we started talking about salvaiton, leading someone to the Lord. Then, the question came up about how when door knocking,what do you do once you get passed the whole "I"m a sinner" "Becuase of my sin I deserve hell" "Jesus died on the cross for me"... then leading to the "prayer".. I had a question about it and opened my mouth saying how I was told originally that I was saved. So... guess what... after almost 10 years of "being saved", it turns out that I've been trusting in a WORKS salvaiton!!!! Christ+prayer= works. I'm beyond confused at this point and have spent most of this weekend crying as it is. I think I'm finally starting to understand that a prayer is not REQUIRED in order to be saved, but it's hard for me to grasp that I may not have been saved this entire time... and it's hard for me to grasp the concept in and of itself. I'm so frustrated now.... if it wasn't 1:30am (doing homework for school yay), I'd be crying again right now.... Ugh. has my whole "Christian life' really been a lie???????? I can't fathome this but it may or may not be true.....

Hey Everyone Well, I have to be honest, I can feel the knots in my stomach getting tighter and tighter as I type I got "saved" when I was 8, baptized when I was 9. However, i was doubting my salvaiton when I was 13, have since quesitoned many times about gettnig baptized again because there is a GOOD chance I didn't get saved when I was 8.... and probably before 13 or slightly thereafter... or somewhere between then and now. The point is, is that I know that baptism is public profession of faith and it should be AFTER salvation. It's following the Lord is believers' baptism and if it's before salvation, it's just getting the person wet So.... after 5 years of fighting it, I finally told my youth pastor after the morning service, "I need to get baptized" because I knew if I didn't speak up, I'd talk myself out of it again, and now I have to talk to pastor. I am downright terrified of this, despite that I was baptized oh... let's see... NINE YEARS AGO..... .... So.. here's my question.... Has anyone here ever gotten rebaptized? In particular, has anyone gotten rebaptized in the same church they were previously baptized in???

OneLight, I just want to tell you that I rated this thread a "five" That was an amazing "little story" which I've never heard before and it really got ahold of my heart. I want to say thank you for posting it and I can't wait to "share" this with someone else lol Who knows, maybe use it some day if the Lord ever puts me in charge of a sunday school or something like that thankyou Crys

lol yep You can rate your own thread or someone else's lol just click it and you can choose a star level lol

Well, I think the first thing that needs to be set as a foundation is that "Christianity" or the way we define that sort of life (based on being "Christ-like") should not be based on the way society is, whether or not it is seemingly on track. With that said, no matter *what* society or "culture" says, then our livse as Christians needs to be based solely on the Word of God. Sometimes, people don't mind- just so many years ago, going to church was a normal thing in "society" and you were basically considered almost an outcast for not doing so. Nowadays, it's normal with society to say "I do'nt agree with organized religion". On the other hand, some time ago, at least in America, anyone who was a homosexual would have to remain "in the closet" out of a fear, but now it is becoming more and more widely accepted and even legalized. That's not to say that these weren't problems in Bible days (look at Lev, they certainly were!), but what we believe and how we act shoudl never be based on what is right or wrong in society. Even society says that stealing and murdering (for no reason) is wrong, does that mean we shoudl be "counterculture" and thus steal and murder? It's a tad bit of a ridiculous answer, but that shows that right AND wrong, we shoudl go based off of culture. On the other hand, however, with the basis that we shoudln't base what we do off society, and should base it on the Word of God, often what we do as Christians goes contrary to what culture says to do, such as choosing music that isn't worldly (why not some good old hymns of hte faith??) or women wearing MODEST dress (not dressed like someone with a low neck lined shirt that is not only tight but stops above the belly button, and a mini skirt that stops halfway up one's hind end) or not saying certain things like cursing, inappropriate jokes etc. Culture today also says to allow soemoen else to be comfortable in their beliefs, be "tolerant' and "just get along". However, that's not bible- we aren't supposed to make people comfortable in their sin but say that the bible says that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23 and Rom 3:10) and that becuase of our sin there is a penalty for our sin called death in hell (Romans 6:23, Rev 21:8), but God loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us (Romans 5:8) and all we have to do is believe and accept him (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13). God loves you so much and he wants to save you (John 3:16). From there, being there discipling them and helping them grow as Christians which can mean anywhere from encouragement to rebuke! Society says that is wrong, culture says that that is wrong. However, we are called to be a peculiar people. People will often look at us and call us "weird", some hypocrites (hopefully only based off of what they have seen in one or two people and not what they personally us do), and some will just flat out call you a religious nut. Hey, I like being called a finatic We should be "counter culture" in that the world is in darkness and Christ is light- we shouldn't be so comformed to this world that they can't look at us and say "You konw, there's something about him" or "You know, there's something different about her". The world shoudl be able to see that we are different because we are comforming to Christ, not comforming to the world. In that, by being lined with scipture, we often naturally become "counterculture". Hope this answers your question Crys