Songster

CONGRATS!!!

Hey, Guitarist! Please keep us posted on which hoops you have to jump through to be recognized. I'm interested because my son lives in Hampton and wants me to officiate at his wedding there in August. (I couldn't access the links Dorian listed due to format.)

Mary, it's a shame your post from the other day got lost. You said something in that post about there being a difference between channeling and ... ??? Could you explain that again?

I smoke fish. (And get off on it.)

From this lay man's perspective.... Evil is a definite force that exists, and those that allow that force power and influence over their lives are capable of performing heinous acts against others. As for the different "levels of sin".... IMO, the "sin" is a definitive indicator of the extent that the individual has surrendered control of their life. If you choose to, you can "Surrender to the Dark side, Luke.", and you can expect your behavior to reflect your choice.

Hey Scotty! When I first read this the other day, I thought about you, and knowing about your recent loss I hoped that you'd stop in to give us your perspective. Excellent advice! Again, my condolences for your loss.

Dan has already answered this for himself (and I would not presume to answer for him), but since he and I appear to share simular basic beliefs, I would like to offer my 2 cents. Speaking strictly for myself, my faith allows me to live and enjoy each day as it comes, and if not actually desiring the day of my demise, I most certainly do not live in fear of it.

The question seems to be asked any time that federal funds are used, and is asked in order to qualify for addition funds. Most will even state that the information is "optional". I used to just leave that question blank, but since I noticed that a processor had answered it for me, I started crossing out the question or answer with "Not appropriate nor relevant."

What a moving and inspirational post, Von. From your description of your father, his character, honor, and courage are worthy of emulation. I especially like your final words of advice- "...if I could laugh and make others laugh - I think that would be a pretty great 30 days."

Rev. Bill, Thank you for the opportunity to help. I try to live every day as if it is my last day (as none of us are guaranteed tomorrow), but if told that I had only 30 days.... 1) I'd pray,thanking my Creator for the many blessings bestowed, and begging His forgiveness and mercy for my many faults. 2) I'd make sure that those that I hold dear to my heart are aware of their importance. 3) I'd endeavor to perform my job duties to the best of my abilities. 4) I'd seek opportunities to be of service to others. I hope I was of assistance to you in your research. Good Luck!

Great story, Rev. Al! Thanks for passing it on!

According to this questionnaire, I'm considered a "centrist" bordering on statist, so I agree with Bro. K here ("....the test is over simplistic and does not provide real evidence of anyone's political leaning.").

I am not a card carrying member, but the American Democratic Socialist's doctrines and platform most closely conforms to my Utopian ideals. Basically, I desire to live in a society that is based on compassion, empathy, and respect, and where a community of workers contributes, controls, and benefits from the production and distribution of all products and services. http://socialistparty-usa.org/platform/

I was raised in the South in a military family, and my parents were diligent in their duty to instruct me in proper decorum and social etiquette. In addition to the table rules related by Qryos above, here are some of the rules of etiquette that I still live by today. All women are to be shown the proper respect and addressed according to their marital status. A married woman is always addressed as "Mrs. Husband's Last-name" (never by their first name) and always answered with a "Yes, Ma'am" or "No, Ma'am." (Ex.- Mr. Edwards wife was Mrs. Edwards.) A widowed woman has the option of keeping her married name, or modifying it at her discretion. (Ex.- Mrs. Edwards chose to be called Ms. Evelyn when her husband passed, while Mrs. Morris kept her married name.) Young girls are addressed in public as "Miss First-name Middle-name" until permission is given to address them in private by one name only. (Ex.- Miss Roberta Josephine allowed me to call her Bobby Jo, but Miss Mary Elizabeth preferred Mary and hated to be called Mary Beth.) Boys are referred to as "Master First-name Middle-name Last-name" until mutual agreement is reached and the "Master" and "Last-name" are dropped. (Ex.- My boyhood friend, Master Elmon Simms Edwards became Elmon Simms, and was later shortened further to Elmon.) A gentleman always stands when a woman enters a room, he holds or stands behind her chair when she desires to sit, and rises immediately should she decide to leave the room. A gentleman always opens and holds the door for a woman to enter first, and then follows her into a building. When exiting a building, the man opens the door, exits first, and then holds the door allowing the woman to exit. When walking with a lady, the gentleman always walks on the woman's left unless they are walking along a street, when the gentleman takes the side closest to traffic. A gentleman always stands when he shakes hands with a lady, and should never presume to kiss her hand or cheek unless it is presented for that purpose. Never greet or shake another man's hand while seated. A gentleman always displays proper respect for another man's authority by addressing his superiors in public as "Mr. Last-name" and answering all questions with "Yes, Sir" or "No, Sir." (Many of my bosses have been many years younger than me, and several have requested that I refrain from adding "Sir" to my response. After declining the offer, I apologize and explain that my behavior is indicative of my training, and I can not/will not address them in more familiar terms unless we are engaged in private conversation well away from any others.) There are, of course, many more.... but time requires me to end this now.

Here, in this arena, everyone is supposed to respect another's beliefs, so I will blunt my tongue (and cross my fingers) and hope that my comments will not offend. That being said... I have, at one time or another, personally dabbled in, consulted, experimented, and explored several forms of occult expression including: my horoscope; the Nordic Runes; the Tarot deck; the Ouija board; automatic writing; the I Ching; palmistry; etc. While I enjoyed limited success with the Tarot, my excursion into "automatic writing" scared me (I made contact with a less than friendly spirit.) In 1975, my girlfriend and I consulted a "psychic/medium" to obtain a reading. For a $20 donation, this woman assured the two of us that we would share many long and happy years of wedded bliss together. WRONG!!!! (We split on less than friendly terms 3 months later.) I have true respect for only one psychic- Edgar Cayce, who unlike Arthur Ford, claimed no familiar spirit but professed only to have gained access to the Akashic Records. Since his death, many of his readings of "God's Book of Remembrances" have been compiled, transcribed, and published, and have been accepted by many as authentic renderings of the Record. Finally, I do not doubt that there are "disembodied spirits" willing and able to communicate with us, but personally.... I do not trust (and seriously question) the motivations and integrity of any individual that receives "messages and instructions from beyond the veil", especially if those messengers claim to be "Spirit-Guides" or "Angels". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!

Cockroaches are amazing! In 1980, I was working at a sign shop. The company's building was ancient, and the rodents and insects had free reign of the premises. My working opponent and I caught a HUGE cockroach and hooked him up to the tube bender's "burn-out" transformer. This device produced 500,000+ volts of electricity and had been responsible for several injuries (blown-off limbs and appendages) and 1 death. We subjected the roach to the full-choke, max voltage for 1 minute. The extremities of the bug (the electrodes were attached head and rear) were burned and the smell of cooked cockroach hung heavy in the air. We were confident that we had exterminated the creature, but less than 3 minutes after the current was cut off, the roach started to crawl away. To kill it, I had to stomp on it.

It's wierd, ain't it? My wife does that too! She KNOWS the answers to my questions before I ask, and seems to be able to tell exactly what I'm thinking by the expression on my face.

Glad ya'll made the trip with no problems!

True, Dan, evil hides easily behind a smile. And you're right too, To`na. Our urban/suburban sprawl has forced them to adapt to our presence, but because food and shelter are easier to secure close to human habitats than in the wild, they take advantage of our presence and it has resulted in their increased numbers. I was playing nice when I said they were merely vandals, they are also wanton killers (killing 10 rabbits but only eating 1).... BTW, did I mention that they make really warm outer wear? (Just stirring the pot, folks.)

Sure, they're cute at that age... the only problem is those cute little fox cubs grow up to be vandalistic varmints.

I think that Hyper's post contains sound advice. ( ".... I understand you say this out of concern for my well-being, I thank you for that! But allow me to respectfully disagree and have a different belief than you have.") She may not hear you the first dozen times, but if she's a friend you want to keep, give her time to come down off the cloud she's walking on. I remember well the enthusiasm I felt when I was "Saved." I felt like shouting from the hill-tops! I wanted everybody to share the same joy that I had found, and I went out of my way to tell friends, relatives, and strangers about Him. My ardor made many of them uncomfortable, and it turned many of my "fast friends" into strangers. One day, one of them told me, "Going to Hell may not be so bad. At least I won't be bothered by you everyday!" My ardor for my new found religion had turned me into a "Bore." Give her time, and may God bless you both!

Nice story, Rev. Al. I love happy endings!

I am so sorry to hear of little Lucy's illness, Grateful, and I can sympathize with you over the distress you certainly feel at the prospect of losing a beloved member of your family..... Over the years several of our pets have developed feline lukemia and had to be put down, and the ache in our hearts is only soothed and comforted by the many memories we share of their antics when they were with us. My prayers will include you and your family. God bless!

Earlier today, I read in another thread that they require $10 to have the certification notarized.

DITTO! Science in not infallible.