RevRainbow

...or when the doctor says, "Take a deep breath," and you say you already did! ...or when your spouse says to suck in your gut and you say "I am!" ...or when youre looking for your glasses and discover you have them on!

You know you're a senior -physically- when the things that used to be hard get soft and the things that used to be soft get hard.

Thank you.

The song was written by T. Tyler in 1948. There are three renditions, Tex Ritter (1948), Wink Martindale (1959) and Bill Anderson (1991). You can get more info on Snopes.com and the melody is out there for downloading. Google Deck of Cards. Peace.

Very encouraging. I shall do this.

Thank you for the very kind words, brother, which honors our heavenly Father. Many times I have been accused of distorting scripture (sound familiar, Coolhand?), but then, can we not say that we all do such in a manner? For myself, I see the OT as a place where comparison and gospel "types" can be found and can use situations to try and clarify, in my sharing with others, what I believe. Lately, my Heavenly Father has me perusing Exodus and Leviticus (oh, that leprosy thing!). In study, I ran across an interesting analogy I would like to especially share with you, BT. I was going to make it a sermon, but think it is more appropriate, presently, here. In Exodus, Chapter 33, Moses resumes the journey after the people made the golden calf and were subsequently disciplined by God. As they traveled along, Moses took the tabernacle (the place where God was manifested) and placed it outside the camp. (preceding this, God commanded Moses to have all the people remove their "ornaments"). The verses that struck me were 7 through 11 from the KJRV: "And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was outside the camp." -v7 "And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face as a man speaks to a friend..." -v11 In the verses mentioned, the people stood in their tent doors and watched Moses as he went into the tabernacle (although they could have gone outside the camp if they had wanted, to get a closer look. IMO, these verses tell me that if we seek God, we must go outside the camp - without ornaments. We can stand in the door of our tent and see whats happening from afar (and still be God's people), but if we want to talk with God face to face, and know Him as a "friend" we must come to Him, leaving all our earthly ornaments behind. God is our heavenly Father, and, as I can attest, sometimes I was quite distant from my earthly father and we were not "friends." I respected my dad, but found him a strict disciplinarian and mean. My earthly dad was my father but not really a friend, one I could talk to and share with. Because of my fear of him, I never really "went in" to meet the real man, only respected and honored him from afar. Religion, as I see it, is the camp. Our pastors/priests (supposedly) go outside and speak with God and come back and tell us what to do and how to do it (like Moses). Christ has shown me that now I have direct access to God, my Father, through Him. Camp is a good thing in that it places me with others who believe as I do (somewhat) and also affords protection. But if I truly want to talk with God, I must go outside the walls, outside the camp, alone, without adornment, and only then will He speak to me as one speaks to a friend. And, with Christ, He speaks to me as a son - for that I am. Methinks, Blackthorn, that you have decided to step outside the camp and go into the tabernacle to meet God one-on-one. It is a most enlightening and wonderful experience which will follow. Christ Jesus has made this possible. Peace.

Blackthorn, Methinks in trying to label "what you are," in regards to belief, the term deist falls short. I think you have reached the point where you have unencumbered yourself with corporate religion and therefore should simply refer to yourself as a son of God (a child of God, to me, denotes a degree of spiritual immaturity - although we should always be dependent upon Him). You have decided, as I understand it, to continue in the teachings of Jesus as pertains to the Father, for He has shown us the Father. If therefore, you, "son of man" now join with your heavenly Father as one, are you not then now adopted as His son, as He promises (He who comes to Me I will in no way, cast out")? Not everyone can receive this information and understand it. We are sons/daughters of Man, of the earth, under the flesh. To us, Jesus has not only shown us, but given us, the Way to become son/daughters of God. What a mystery! Marvelous! "..that we should be called sons and daughters of the Most High God and "joint heirs with Christ!" Abide in His love, my friend, and He shall work wonders in you. And, even if you forsake Him, He cannot, by His own word, leave you or forsake you. Such is His love for you and He will bless you with that same love to share with all others where, in the Spirit, "there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female,"... only one with the Father. As Jesus said, "If you had known me, you would have known My Father...I and My Father are One" When we humble ourselves before the Almighty "I AM" casting all else aside to truly seek and know Him, He lifts us up and cradles us in His Love and nothing can ever pluck us from His hands. Nothing. Hmm, as a matter of fact, I too shall no longer refer to myself as a Christian for the sake of Man. No, I am, and have been and always will be (thank you, Jesus), a Son of the One True God. Amen! Peace.

This thread has been most edifying to me (and I hope to others as well). "Jesus has shown me the Father/Creator and how to live a good life full of God's light and love. I do not need to be a "christian" to do so. I just need to love God and let him guide me. Jesus didn't teach christianity Jesus taught about God." -Blackthorn This is a most profound revelation and true statement, my friend.

Offer a plenary indulgence?

Holy Harleys, Coolhand, are you stirrin' up the local church down thar agin?

As I too have learned, there is a reason why God gave us a brain to think with. As you continue on your spiritual journey, it is a great step to discard the formalism of religiosity and focus on the Creator. If our desire is to truly know God and if we trust Him, He will direct our paths. He even said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." For me, brother, I travelled different Christian paths (catholic, baptist, fundamentalist, and a few cults here and there). All in all, it was the teachings of Christ and my belief in Him as Savior that kept me traveling through the various types, stopping for a while, but moving on (by the will of God). In each I learned something, positive or negative but always enriching my Faith. I also came to a point where a placed the bible on the table and told God that in order to know Him truly, I would dispense with the scriptures (all or some) as a means of doing so, if it were His pleasure. He told me to keep the book for that is where His promises are written. It has been said that we are the sum of our experiences. IMO, that applies to spirituality also. The Kingdom of Heaven (to me) is like a carnival. Some are on the carousel (round and round), some are on the ferris wheel (round and round but with high and low points) and some on the Tilt-a-whirl, but all are supposed to have a good time and, I think, enjoy the other rides and attractions too. Admittedly, after trying the different rides, we tend to enjoy one more than the others and return (and not everyone enjoys the same rides). Thanks for sharing and God bless your journey.

A coat of many colors, stitched on the fingertips of trees lies now fallen upon the ground; what was once the shimmering walls surrounding the beds of birds nestled in it's crooked arms, sheds it camouflage, exposing naked limbs in obedience of Autumn's call. (Love yer stuff, Q! )

I have no pets right now (which I would include) and am sadly missing a joy of domestic life. I do, however, talk to the birds, squirrels and an occasional tree (but dont want them in the house).

Yep, sounds familiar. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I sure hope I have not reached the age where I get that dog's extra 20 years and just sit on the porch barking at people! Peace

SWC: Yeah, admittedly, it is hard to differentiate between the Christian "sects," each one claiming some Divine reasoning in their practices. One can call their self a Christian and yet have many opposing beliefs to other Christians. Screwy, aint it? But this is also true in other belief structures where interpretations have led to division. I sensed that even in this thread on the use of magick. RevF: Thanks, I needed that. I guess sometimes I am sensitive to the responses of others who see Christians in a certain "light," when actually it is not light at all but darkness. What they have experienced is not Christianity, but the intolerance of certain Christians. My perspective of the "gospel" is not believe it or else, it's believe it or not. The choice is yours as it was mine. Jesus lived the gospel, He didn't pressure and thus, I try to do the same. Now, lets get back to the thread (I apologize for the diversion) which I have found thus far to be quite interesting. Peace.

I do apologize for entering into this conversation, but I would like clarification on the above statement. Does this mean that suddenly, Fawzo is no longer labelled "Christian" by you. musicman, because he doesnt fit into the mold you have prescribed? Are your concepts of a Christian presupposing we are "anti-everyone else?" (Interesting that you added that phrase) I again apologize, but it appears to me I see a lot of subtle Christian bashing by those who claim to be open minded about spiritual things. Am I not a Christian then, according to you, because I am not "anti-everyone else?" Perhaps you should consider the "Christians" you have claimed to "run into a lot," are not spiritually mature or maybe even of a cultish nature of so-called christianity. I am sure you have run into other spiritually lacking believers of other faiths also. Are they also resented to this degree? You dont have to "assume" I am a Christian. I AM a Christian. And I am getting a bit upset at the way others here group Christians into a select defined group of intolerants by their pseudo spirituality and knowledge of the Divine. It shows me that those who do so aint as spiritually mature as they think they are. And, the animosity shown proves to me that perhaps your way aint no better than mine when it comes to resenting those of different beliefs. Dont give me no LOL's. It aint funny. It pisses me off. We seek after God and yet resent those who follow different paths. How far away we actually are from the Creator and understanding the Truth.

The old-country adage: " We grow too soon old and too late smart."

Where was God? Where was God? I wondered about that sometimes when the ground trembled with an all too close mortar round. Most of the time we cursed God for being there; for what we endured. Where was God when the ambush came? Where was God when we cried out in fear and pain?" The ritual services; the prayer beads; recitation of prescribed prayer didn't work. Religion doesn't save. I learned that quickly. Protection? For some, their guardian angel must have been on R & R. We took comfort in carnal, not spiritual, pleasures. Where was God? I learned later He was there; it was I who was far from Him.

May God comfort your family. Prayers in progress.

I am sure many have prayed this prayer at one time or another (I know I have). A strong emotional poem.

And if one has a lisp it comes out "Sith, sith, sith!

Thank you.

Prayers for a speedy recovery. Happy to hear all is better. I suffered from the same symptoms several times in the past and know how she must have felt (and you too!). Peace.

I came home tonight and read the responses above which lightened my spirit. Thank you. It is situations as these, IMO, that keep us from getting too "puffed up" in our own importance. At my age I really should have known better, but it was a post script I tacked on and realized only too late what I had done. I needed to point that out. Thank you for your understanding.