Brother Michael Sky

I understand, but I feel that there is a critical, underlying point which must be understood as regards the Judaic belief system. It is not an evangelical system. So references to friends would be to clear up one's own responsibilities... I don't even see it as instruction on friendship - there is another concept which is being delivered. I believe it speaks to the basic understanding of the words... and is part of the danger of using Texts from another understanding in one's own religion - it is bound to impart a different meaning than was intended - if one does not have a really firm grasp of how the original belief system which held those concepts, misunderstanding is inevitable... which is why I must question my own understanding, and why I am considerably less than secure in my understanding of the question you raise... There is a very difficult perspective to acquire when dealing with concepts which are so old.... The correct one. I have noticed that fervent Christians have a very definite perspective - which overwhelms the understanding which ancient writers were trying to deliver. There can be NO modern Christian flavor to ancient Judaic texts.... where it is found - there has been a misunderstanding... and I have discovered this within myself first - it is not something I am solely accusing others of.....

the idea of saving others....

That is where we begin to move apart in our understanding.... That would definitely be a Christian type perspective, IMO... and begins to imply that we have a responsibility for another's development - I cannot agree with taking it in this direction... I don't feel it is supported.

Hebrew is killing me, Cool...... For a person who is normally quick on the uptake - I seem to have a mental block.... but I have considered what you are asking.... I cannot give you the thoroughness I am usually going for - but I do have thoughts.... I believe it is a question of motivation.... How and Why we treat our friends as we do... The religious understanding of the friend, and their dedication to adhering to either religious motivations or a social motivation.... I believe it is spelling out the difference between our perceived and actual obligations, in a religious sense - for sometimes they can get confused..... This would be an idea I feel would need to be clear, especially if some of your friends might be adherents to a different religion - which would have HAD to be the case back then.... I also believe there are connections to a deeper meaning behind Love in the Hebrew - some of the times I have come against that word, in it's different variations, I have had the idea that there is a concept attached that I am just not getting... there seems to be an additional meaning which I feel relates to a divine love ( as in G_D's Love for man... ) and that is a trail I have not followed completely.... these are ideas which come from an admittedly incomplete understanding... and I am not always convinced that the instruction I have been getting in Hebrew is complete... but that could be my own ignorance laughing at me.....

ummmm preservatives...... lol

With heavy emphasis on the first part..... the idiot part...

You see it too !!! I was thinking I was the only one who would keep my hand on my shorts around her.....

Excuse my accenting your words... but I have been trying to impart this idea to folks for a long time. I was - and still am - surprised and dismayed by the by the reaction that I get to the idea that man was not always as " civilized " as he is now. And that the rules changed over time for a REASON - and the changing rules show the symbiosis between Man and God.... The Heritage of the Judaic world view which gave birth to Christianity...... I would be interested in exactly what you have done, if you care to share more...

Hyperreal, you would probably enjoy the variety of texts at Sacred Texts - Judaism as well... the main site has texts from all sorts of religions - in translations that might be difficult to find elsewhere... A VERY valuable site - and it deserves support if you would like to have the WHOLE database on disc.... ( the $99 price is ridiculously cheap....) This site could be very useful to you... I am a frequent visitor there...

Maybe the wolves would be assisted by that idea !! They were/are endangered, right? The brown bears, for sure..... And coyotes just luv a little kitty snack....

two of those are almost mutually exclusive - I will leave it up to you to decide which.... It was your experience - and your epiphany... Thank You for sharing...

LOL... it was a comment upon perception - and how folks react to unusual situations.... He saw nothing more in the situation than poor luck - it was simply his ear the bug found itself in front of.... he was relieved, but saw nothing special to it... whereas you relate it as a lesson from something of an intangible nature.... there is also the inference that our perceptions are inextricably linked with our Hopes and our Fears... The messages we receive from the world around us are colored by the inner landscape of our mind.... Reading your perspective of the situation, my question would be : was it God who gave you the experience, a random happening which you interpret in a useful way, or your own mind reaching out with an "attention getter" about an issue which swirls inside your mind in confusion?

I have a friend who lived in the mountains of western Va. He had an insect crawl into his ear while he was sleeping. He suffered vertigo, nausea, and hallucinations. went to sleep a few nights later and it crawled back out - woke up a new man.... felt like getting some religion.... instead he went to work....

works for baths and walks too - but diametrically opposed reactions.....

When I had an accident at work with a nailgun...... ( we won't go into details... ) I found out that they have a computer which maps the surface of the eye - and they figure a prescription from that.... took all the "this one, or this one.... " out of the picture... perhaps it's something similar...

That's hilarious... the voice for the dog is PERFECT !!!

very dignified.... why does she look like she's watching you work....?

looks like he means business.... in a comfortable manner..... He is a cutie.... ! ( no, not Murph - i don't judge those sorts of things in guys.... i'm always wrong and women get mad at me...)

Br Devon perhaps it is your security settings. Pictures can contain malicious code so browsers are getting funny about them.... and others I know are having problems with picture hosting sites and their permissions... you may try to right click and "show image"

Grateful - from where I stand in life, these spirits DO come looking for us...... and such a bond will continue for much longer than we are usually willing to consider... Your story is touching - for me it is touching in a way which gives MUCH meaning to life. and it touches me in a place I do not let folks get to very often.... That is the blessing of our pets... I salute you for accepting and honoring those feelings within you... You are a FINE example...

What a handsome shaggy guy !! I'd have to make a buddy out of this one ! bet he likes spending time in the yard with ya !! I LOVE the name too !! - so much fun could be had with it.......

been working fine for me....

They get ya wherever they find a place to goose ya... especially first thing in the morning....

yeah... they would not cooperate for a group photo... but I met the size requirements.... LOL... Tiny dog looks better in the hat... but tonee is very jealous - she may not like it, but shes not allowed to wear it... so she has sweaters and skirts.... It's really ridiculous the enjoyment she gets out of having her "dress" on ..... she prances around....