RevTom

Why can't I have my Gmail address instead of Yahoo or MSN email? Can I type the Gmail adress where the MSN or Yahoo is listed? I only use MSN for frivolous or nuisance email, and yahoo for business.

well....email address from here???...koolaid????...where have I been???

I have experimented a bit in changing the environment around me by being persistently pleasant and cheerful where there was an atmosphere of anger or sullenness...if one is doggedly cheerful, it will eventually change the atmosphere. I wonder if the same type thing could have changed the circumstances of this young man sho wreaked havoc upon so many...it is hard to fathom what could have affected him so deeply that he felt the compulsion to wreck the lives of so many, including his own.

stunning photos...by the way- I like your Marcus Aurelius byline...I also like a quote attributed to Julius Caesar..."Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant taste of death but once. It seems most strange to me that men should fear death, knowing that it will come when it will come". Kinda along the same lines... I will post a most poignant series next time I log in- if this forum allows slide shows and I figure out how to load it.

...Sounds like the community management and workmen are pretty irresponsible...

...and what is the nature of the world? Should we succumb to corruption and greed, or should we strive and work toward seeing the promise of this country fulfull its designed destiny-one of hope, fairness, compassion and love? It is necessary to fight might with might, yet we have at many times been duplicitous in our relations with other countries: We railed at the despotism of Moammar Khadaffi, yet we created the despot. Same thing with Iran and the Ayatollah (Khomeini), and countless other political intrigues. There is a book-I forget the name of it, but it cites U.S. involvement in fomenting unrest and anarchy in the midesat as early as 1918. We are not alone, of course-many other countries play others against each other-but should we acknowledge this to be a norm, or should we work toward changing that norm, and steering our country toward realizing the full measure of her promise and potential? Good to hear from you again...

They Killed our children Tommy Johns Oct 17, 2010 10,000 fold came hordes a marching, arms and banners starkly flying: Still no quarter gave the throng of soldiers ready 1000s strong-ready but sighing. For they knew this night would be their last, sent to battle in distant lands; fighting for a cause unknown, these men and women barely grown sent to war from behind closed doors of politicians' bellows and roars as they sat in comfort dreaming, planning plotting dealing and scheming. Never mind the sound of mothers crying at the thought of their children dying as politicians sat behind closed doors sending our children off to war. Brave young men and women gave no quarter as they were led into a slaughter fighting not for what's right, but waging war into the night, their loyalty never flagging as crimson stained their pants and tunics, never to see loved ones again, to die upon some distant land. And politicians sat a laughing as they did their dirty scheming, convincing no one thier deeds were good: they undeniably stood as products of their greed and yearning for power, not discerning the cost of so many lads and lasses, whose lives were spent with the clinks of glasses from politicians sitting behind closed doors,never having to sacrifice discomfort much less their lives. Yet the throngs of dying soldiers never dishonored the oath of office to give their lives, never knowing they were fighting for lies told behind closed doors and politicians' laughter and roars of notions and scheming unheeding of the legions of cries from mothers whose children were sent to die in some forsaken foreign land killed by politicians' hands. they killed our children.bmp

I hope I have come far enough to not take offense at some of the postings-those that seem vicious it is best to leave alone (for me anyway) if there is not a good reply that furthers the discussion. Some of the postings I have later found to be tongue in cheek, so I am trying to learn not to be quick to feel criticism unjustly...I hope those coming here enjoy the diversity of viewpoint and ideology that has made this such a wonderful experience for me. Even in topics where there is so much room for a wide range of opinion, it is a learning experience-sometimes I sit back and digest it awhile before deciding whether to continue my own views or alter them according to the feedback and input. As for starting a church or movement on a shoestring budget, I hope all goes well for you... I have hd to temporarily go back to dialup connection...agonizingly slow..GRRRR!!!

As you will see there are people from all walks and ideologies here...welcome to the smargasboard

Memories Memories of days gone by; attitudes of different times: Friends beside you without fail, Steadfat love come sun or hail. I see a glimpse every now and then of life as it could have been; Faithful love without reserve' never asking what its gift deserves But 'tis a fading blustery wind tossing yon without end: Tempest brewing to fading light, blowing coldness through the night. Where does the journey take us now? Might we make it back somehow to a place of simpler times, to a world of livng minds? I fear the way is long since lost to remain forever tempest tossed.

Awakened early one autumn morn and suddenly confronted with my very soul, It dawned that long ago I'd buried my dreams as wind drifts built upon the snow I walked for many miles that day and hours passed when suddenly I saw the twists and turns that stealthily had steered me from my chosen way. As I gazed upon forest's soft hued vale and heard robins calling in the dale I felt the meadow's uplifting wind and felt the sun bring forth its warmth again: So I sat and began to contemplate- to consider the future; ponder my fate. Is all to be what's been before Is this my life, or is there more? Hard though I tried the future to see She carefully hid her secrets from me. The reckoning shook my very soul and stung like winters' harshest cold. Though I may journey to seek my future Feel not as though you've lost a friend For in life's strange enchanting pathway, God only knows when we shall meet again

It's a done deal...

...so will HOT-as in chinese mustard, cayenne peppers-Cinese food, and it is a lot more fun to medicate with

Evil-a christian/Judeo/Islamic (mostly) concotion-has no meaning for me, a Warlock

...and the main emphasis-as you pointed out-should be 1st to conquer one's own demons. Any spiritual path should be to seek a means to understand and grow in her/his journey, recognizing the finiteness of this physical plane: When people embark on a particular path, sometimes they are so moved by their revelations and epiphanies and exuberance they feel compelled to sing its praises to the world. When this is done without 1st having a good knowledge base of their chosen path, they undertake a task for which they are ill prepared-this is particularly so in religions/spiritual paths that place strong emphasis on proselytising. I have met many people who could qoute reams of scripture, but were at odds with understanding much of it. I enjoy good discourse- sometimes to share a viewpoint that others may not have considered, and sometimes I alter my stance/belief about the given subject. The exchanges serve to-and to be meaningful-must be to challenge and cement one's personal beliefs, and to use the discourse to further one's journey and understanding-all life is a lesson and while my main beliefs are set, it is the fleshing out of these beliefs-being introduced to ideas that had not before been considered, that make the journey one of broader horizons: While I hold no ill will toward any particular spiritual path, I have studied many, and have set sail on that which resonates most clearly- and to no smaill degree, because of the affinity I feel toward my roots in ancient Scotland and Britain, bring me to its Druid/Celtic begiinnings. ...just a little quirk of mine-but is there a way to correct the title of this forum to have its correct spelling..turning..in Turning Witches to Christ-like I say-no biggy-just a quirk of mine-

The concept of being born in sin and that "all have fallen short..." is mainly Judeo-Christian-Islam thought. Why do we have to think in those terms? Witchcraft/Wicca believes that good/evil, positive /negative are continuums of the same thread. We experience it ourselves-there are some instances in which we-who may be fundamentally good, are drawn to commit negative acts if pushed hard enough...I do not believe in Hell, or incarnate sin...another facet of some religions that make no sense to me. When Witches (and I will just refer to witch instead of witch/warlock)/Wiccans transgress the bounds of good will and humanity, we are sanctioned by the coven/governing body we belong to, and face our actions straightforwardly: No threats of everlasting damnation-just owning our transgressions and wherever possible, atoning -in very real and in the present-for our deeds.

ok-but I would find the title "turning witches to Christ" and the premise very offensive if what Christians thought (fundamental, Bible thumping Christians) made any difference to me. As regards to savedintheson and his ilk, the whole litany stands: As regards to your post and other enlightened Christians, ok-I will concede that Christianity can be a path toward spiritual growth and knowledge. The main object is to remain true to our own path and follow its wisdom in learning about our journey here, and the greater journey of our souls. Actually, I resonate with many paths-Buddhism, Christianity (to some degree), Lao Tse, Hindi to name a few, but Celtic Wicca reaches my soul as no other path-perhaps because I identify with my Celtic/Scottish Highlander origins: Would be Druid, but so much of the traditions have been lost, and although the same holds true with Celtic traditions, I was introduced to them (Celtic) 1st, and found it talks to my soul.

It touches the soul...the arrogance of Christians-the indignity of pagans (Wiccans like myself included), and also of the non Christian mainstream religions (Buddhism, etc.) Only Christianity-Islam proselytises, believing one is condemned if one does not adhere to THEIR religion-lord, get me a beer!...Christianity as practiced today is only a 1st step in learning one's spirituality-if one progresses, he/she goes beyond the pablum of Sunday Church service and learns how to open his/her soul to the bigger picture and spiritual journey and knowledge...as for Christianity, been there/done that-now I know better and have traveled beyond...

Neither you nor the Wiccans are winning nor staying true to your souls: the Wiccans either ar not true to their pagan beliefs, or are rootless, and you are meddling in people's spirituality in ways you know nothing about-it is the arrogance of most Christians that they must "convert people" from that which resonates with them. Wicca-and other pagans well as mainstream religions outside Christianty are not inferior shells, as the soulless Christians would believe. To not know this is to not know Christ's true life's work and message. Speaking of God "...for I am known by many names..." did you think the names were all little handy labels for you creature comfort? I am Wiccan, will not "convert to Chritsitanity"-been there done that" -and will continue to stay true to my spirit, helping others when I can, not proselytizing which the Christians feel necessary to do...

If they would just add a script font or two!!!--- Like you, in many ways I joined ULC on a lark-I had been previously licensed and ordained however (UMC). I was in prison and several of the people I associated with got their ordination through ULC, and I joined the bandwagon. This was the 1st forum I posted in, and was active here for a while...I don't even know why I left really, except for some bickering that I grew tired of. I joined other social internet groups, but here at least people will tell you what they really think and I respect that. As for my ordination, I was hamstrung for a while because people in my situation were forbidden to be actively working in a church. Now the rules have changed, and I would like to establish an internet spiritual group-or become more active here. I think there is a place where you can do your own congregational forum here. Anyway, all that is in the works now. I until recently was blogging frequently on classmates.com spirtuality- pagans, non christians...thread, but it got pretty much the same old same old. There are some very dear people there though, and I will remain in touch with them and the thread to some extent anyway. lightfoot