Big Steve

Ok, the Desparate Housewives thread, and some others about TV watching and such, got me thinking about this. What exactly is wrong with looking at the opposite sex and appreciating someone who is attractive, pretty, etc. ? For example, I am into the bodybuilding/fitness scene. I subscribe to magazines such as Flex and Muscular Development. They obviously show women, and men for that matter, wearing bikini type swimsuits, because these athletes are trying to show the fruits of all their hard work. The contests are judged with them wearing the same clothing. Now I enjoy reading these magazines, and looking at the pictures to see the development these people have attained. And I won't beat around the bush, the women are very attractive. Once again, so are the men for that matter. But just because I look at a picture of a pretty woman, and think to myself that she is attractive and has a nicly built body, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It is a natural human instinct to notice attractive people of the opposite sex, and there isn't any harm that I can see in it. Looking for other's thoughts on it. (I think I want them anyway!)

Hey Al! It's a movie about "end times" and events from the book of Revelations. Correct me if I'm wrong here Keith, I haven't watched it yet. Have you read any of the Left Behind books or seen the movies in that series Allison? I think it's along those lines. I enjoyed the books very much and saw both movies as well. the pre-trib rapture is a touchy subject, but I think you'd like them.

War is not pleasant, but it is sometimes necessary. I know firsthand what it is like to be in combat. As ugly as it is, I also saw the atrocities that saddam hussein committed against his own people, and it was necassary he be stopped and removed from power. he is an evil man. We sometimes have to take on the cause of others, because it is the right and just thing to do.

Thanks Dad Ernie! That's the one I was thinking of!! I"m glad to hear all of your stories about angels! It's awesome to hear of their work for the Lord here on Earth!

Ok, I'm still thinking about all the info from the ghost thread, and this is kind of yet another spin-off again from that. Do Godly Angels (not demons, we got that straight in the other thread ) ever intervene in situations to help people? They must occassionally, don't you think? Also, isn't it in the bible somewhere (and you have to forgive me, I'm terrible at remembering exact scripture at this point) about feeding or helping strangers, because you never know when it could be an angel? It seems to stick in my mind that I read that in there somewhere. Lastly, what about Guardian Angels? Any truth that we may have 'em individually?

Wow, this has been very interesting and enlightening. I appreciate all the info everyone has shared. It brings up another question, but that will be a new post.

But what about the psychics who really do help police and others in solving cases? I don't know, I just find it hard to believe all these people are evil.

I think the sin is in getting drunk, not drinking in moderation. If I'm out with freinds or on the river boating in the summer, I will have a few beers or wine coolers. I never drink hard liquor. And I never get drunk. I don't see the harm in it if done in moderation.

I'm curious about psychics too. Have you ever watched "Crossing Over" with John Edwards? He is another one who seems very credible. and if you everread about his background, this ability came to him when he was young. This kind of ties in to my other post about kids who seem to have psychic abilities or memories of things that happened before they were born. There are others too like in the show you were talking about, who regularily help police and rescue workers in various situations. I can't believe all their information comes from evil sources. Don't Godly angels come into play sometimes too? I have a Christian freind, whose neice has his ability. Not sure of her age, but she is younger than 10, I know that. Along with seeing "people" that no-one else can, she has talked of a "past life" and given details of what happened to her then. Her parents have looked into it, and confirmed the details of what she has told them. I don't know what to think of it. She is a very normal little girl, and just comments things like, "Oh, there goes so-and-so walking by" and things of that nature. She says they are all over, everywhere people go, they are just not seen by most. And she indicates they DO know that she can see them.

Ok, what about the instances where these spirits help people or in some instances save a life? Those must be angels then, right? Or I've seen reports of "people", not an apparition or ghost but an actual physical person, appearing on the scene of an accident and helping the injured, and then literally dissappearing. Godly Angels in that case? Also, one more. I've been told of a police report that states that officers were called to a house because an older gentleman had been found dead in his bedroom. When they got there, an old guy answers the door and says yes, the body is in the back bedroom. The 2 officers go down the hallway, followed by this guy. When they reach the bedroom, they find the body of an old man lying on the bed. When they turn around, the man who let them in is gone. The kicker is, the man on the bed IS the man who let them in, same clothes and all. This is a true story. I haven't seen the police report personally, but it is well known to have actually happened. What would you all make of that? The feeling of those involved was he had died and just wanted to be found before he moved on. Now I know this doesn't jive with what the consensus is here on ghosts/spirits, so I'm wondering what you all think. And thanks for all the responses! This is very interesting!!

I would have to think also that if many are demons, many have to be angels as well.

LOL Keith. As always this is a touchy subject. People can say what they want about the authors, books, movies whatever. All I know is after reading the Left Behind series of books, it lit a fire under me and was part of what led me here and being saved. thanks for te info on the movie Keith, I will have to try and find it around here.

Im sure you've heard of small children "seeing" things no on else can, or talking about an event from the past they could not have knowledge of. I wonder if kids have an ability or like a "6th sense" that makes them open to these things, that we slowly lose as we get older. Then as we tell them "it's not real" or "it's in your imagination", they just start believing it too and they lose this ability they possess. What puzzles me though, is what about these children that recall events they participated in from the past, like before they were born, in vivid detail, and then later it's proved to be accurate? What would explain that? God bless! Steve

There is little doubt that ghosts are real. There are so many documented sightings and experiences with this, even video and sound recordings. I have never seen one myself, although I think it would be exciting if it happened, although a little scary too. My question is, what exactly are they? Where do they fit in? Some people see loved ones, almost saying goodbye. There are lots of accounts of people seeing the ghost of someone, doing whatever it was they were doing when they died. I've also heard the explanation that people who die suddenly, don't "know" they are dead and should move on, so they keep hanging around. I'm just wondering what thoughts there are on this. God Bless Steve

Let us know how it is! I'd be interested in watching that too.

Stay safe bro. I did 8 months on the ground in Saudi/Kuwait in the first Gulf War as an M-60 gunner.

If he's a "Devildog" then he's a Marine. Semer Fi bro. What unit are you with? I was with Bravo Co. 1/7, from '87-'91.

I haven't been too bad, thanks for asking. Typical ups and downs. I'm definately going to try and be around more often, it has been awhile.

Absolutely! Share it as much as you like!

Something to think about... When things in your life seem almost too much to handle. when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee... A professor stood before his philosophy class and has some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They all agreed it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it in to the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles all rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured in tin to the jar. Of course the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes". The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and then poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now", said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " what I want you to recognize is that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls, The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." __________________ Just thought this was a nice read.

I read them all and loved them. Yes, they are fictionalized, but it is told in such a way as to make it believeable enough (mostly), and more importantly, it really made me think about things. It woke me up spiritutally after I read that series. I was completing a book every 2-3 days and couldn't put them down.

Well after another absence, I'm back agian. With my job, I work a rotating schedule, and I've been off on the weekends. When I am, I'm so busy with family and projects and such that I rarely have time to get on the computer. Now I'm coming back into having days off during the week, so I'm sure I'll be around more. I've had some struggles with a few things, and some strange, detailed dreams. I'll post about it when I get the chance.

I agree with you. If the homosexual turns from his/her ways and comes to Jesus, then they are forgiven. What my friend meant is to be happy with a "mate" or "partner" while here on earth. I strongly disagree with her on this. She has trouble with accepting that these people will not be with Jesus if they continue in their ways. I think it just bothers her that many of them are nice, likeable folks.