Lindy

Shhhhhhh lisajo.....say nothing... NOTHING!

I know the question wasn't aimed at me....... but I had to answer it.... ASDFGHJKL;..... and thumbs are for the SPACE BAR!!! Maureen won that round

I think that is a problem with a lot of those who are looking into the church Captain... no consistency (the changing of the missionaries so often) I can see that being a down side on the investigators part. That is when people like Winnie G and Mrs S need to step in and keep that fire going..... by finding alternate ways of helping out, but then they know their limits in a particular individual.As for whose qualified?.... anyone who knows the doctrine, anyone who can give clean honest answers to any question. I know to ask an active member any question I have pertaining to certain things regarding the church.... and if I want honest answers on what they think is wrong with the church... I have people like Jason and SS to go to to ask... knowing that they will be honest with me and tell me how they feel. But than again.... I know that neither of them would try to talk me out of what I believed in. They would be willing to help me out..... literally OUT if I wanted to go. :).... but that's what friends are for. As for reality.... we have to find it on our own.... thru prayer ..... Can't rely on a good impression to find the truth.

I KNEW I forgot something! Thanks :)

MMMMMMM Potroast... medium well for me.... I saw garlic mentioned.... ohhhh yeah! Potatoes, carrots and onions..... that's it! I'm a going shopping for dinner tomorrow night! :)

LOL People, People, People..... first let me defend myself by stating that I DID say it made me think about how MUCH of it does happens..... point being that some things sway us from what is important in life.... I like what Outshined's post: I think that is the premise of the whole "story"... Some of the key words that jumped out at me.....steal their time, Distract them, Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life, invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds, Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, Persuade.. so they can afford their empty lifestyles, Keep them from- time with their children, Over-stimulate their minds, offering free products, services and false hopes, Give them headaches. I got tired listing them down....lol ....."Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus" ... now how about the amount of people on Prosac and antidepressants because they are over powered with "good causes" and can't handle the stress? Entice them with music while driving..... movies... Santa Claus...Easter Bunny.... I'm as guilty as everyone else on a lot of these things listed..... MY choices However, I did tell my children the real reasons behind the holidays.... and that we are NOT celebrating Santa Claus or the Bunny. Thanks to all who can see my point ... and thanks to all who still love me even though you disagree with the view of the post

WHAT!! A smart alec on THIS board? NO, NO, NOOOOOOO tell me it isn't true!

Had a friend send this to me and thought it worth sharing...... ----------------------------------------------- Satan recently called a worldwide convention of demons to catch up with the strong and growing Christian Movement; In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians away from going to church." "We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth." "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour." "Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken." "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.." "This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow." "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles." "Keep them from spending time with their children." "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!" "Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice." "Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly." "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ." "Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers." "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day." "Invade their driving moments with billboards." "Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.." "Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. " "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night." "Give them headaches too! " "If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere." "That will fragment their families quickly!" "Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas." "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death." "Even in their recreation, let them be excessive." "Have them return from their recreation exhausted." "Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead." "Keep them busy, busy, and busy!" "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences." "Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus." "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause." "It will work!" "It will work!" It was quite a plan! The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes? You be the judge!!!!! Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-under S-atan's Y-oke? ------------------------- It made me think about how much of it happens...... to sway us away from what is important in life.... maybe it is part of satan's plan to help turn us from God. What do you think?

I love ya Biz... but I will disagree with you .... too many things have happened to just blow off life after death... and I think it all comes down to what you believe in... and what you don't.I have an LDS friend who's husband is a State Trooper.... they went to a funeral of a fellow Trooper who was killed, and the preacher who conducted the service had the mans widow in racking sobs when he offered very little comfort about where we go "from here". The preacher actually had no clue if he believed in life after death. He said that he had no idea where trooper "so and so" was... or what actually happens after death. I think my friend went to her to comfort her with the truth as she knew it to be. But that is something that upset both of them that a preacher .... "a man of God" could be so clueless. This was years ago....and it still is something that I remember vividly... I guess because it really bothered me when I heard them recap that experience .... I don't know why I thought about this.... But I do know that that is what makes the world go around... the differences of opinions, cultures and such. We may not agree........ I think I'll stick to the "hope" of something better.... maybe we'll just call it faith :)

I think my son-in-law got a reality check when his 3 year old came into the room and asked "where the f*** is my cuddle bear?" She had no idea what she was saying.... and my daughter looked at him and said...."that's all you" and he has taken to thinking more now before he swears in front of the children. And when he does.... he tends to apologize to them for saying a bad word. And Pushka... I had to laugh.... I normally don't swear myself... but I have a friend who just kept pushing me and pushing me on something...and I let go. I am sure he realized how ticked I was when I said THAT word. LOL.... I usually don't get that angry... and I dont' think I apologized.... And I think I'm a sexist right alongside of you with the bad language thing..... I spent many years with military "brothers" so I was used to it.... and a woman saying the same things in their everyday vocabulary ..... was just sick and wrong

Fiannan~ would it matter... I mean really? People in the USA protest what they think is wrong all the time.... they write letters, participate in marches, rallies...etc.... voicing their condemnation on this kind of horror... who listens? This has happened for how long? Has ANYTHING been done to make it better? I don't think so. I don't' watch the news anymore....because it sickens me to know what is happening to our servicemen and women..... I don't' like hearing about other people killed, tortured and maimed either. How many people know what the black and white POW/MIA flag stands for? I know that was a random statement...but it is still something that deserves respect and honor in my opinion.

Ordinary Heros... I think of those who stop to help others in distress without thinking twice, those who are there for a family member, a friend or a co-worker who needs help. Those who don't make excuses why they can't do something to help out when needed...but are the first ones to say "what can I do to help" Those who are examples of the pure love of Christ..... wether they believe in Him or not. We know of or hear of ordinary heros everyday of our lives.... and like the angels among us.... we may not even realize they are there.

WOW.... I am impressed Captain.... a very good statement, and just ....WOW. PC .... you've got an assistant here to help out with the inmates if you could convince him. :) And yes Captn... I think that for Monica that is all there is... black and white... no shades of grey. That is not a bad thing for some people to live by... if that is their thing. It doesn't mean we ALL have to only see things in black and white. That is why we are all different... all have our own agency to chose what to believe, what to follow. There will come a time when we will share the common love of Christ equally... with all the love, heart, soul and life we have. Until than, we just have to accept that others will be different. Doesn't mean we have to approve. Just accept.

Maureen~ To me it's not the fact they would have a baby out of wedlock..... I don't look down on that... it happens. I don't even care that they don't get married.... Heck I have a lot of respect for Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn for the dedication they have to each other. It doesn't effect me in the slightest. I'm just not a big Angelina Jolie fan.... I haven't seen anything of hers that interested me talent wise, so I don't follow the "news" around her, and I have no idea what she does or what she doesn't do in her life... all I have ever seen was a front cover tabloid headlines..... "Angelina steals Brad away from Jennifer"... I am not saying I believe any of it... and again no, it doesn't effect me and basically I could care less. I don't like the hoopla around the stars and their private lives.... who is sleeping with whose husband, wife, girlfriends cousins, boyfriends mother. People eat that stuff up..... they stand there reading that garbage that is printed and "ohh, ahhh... can you believe it?" To me it's just demoralizing what they can do and get away with ..and still get the ohhhh's and ahhhh's like it's something special.I hear or watch things about what the "stars" get away with in REALITY .......... one actress in a hit and run accident.... gets community service! Another steals clothes in a department store.... and gets what? Community service! How many who cheat on their wives/husbands, those who don't' think twice about the bed hopping, or drinking themselves into oblivion and get into fights, or get caught dealing or doing drugs.... get arrested and their hands slapped because of who they are and how much money they make...... It makes me sick! They can be the nicest people in the world... but still use their "star status" to get away with things.... and to me that is just plain wrong. Yet, I do know that there are some "stars" who do good in this world.... but I couldn't tell you who they are off the top of my head... because I really don't read up on it. I never knew about the children adopted by A. Jolie..... like I said... I don't follow her life. I do know about all the work that Jimmy Carter has done to help out the needy.... I HAVE heard about Paul Newman and his "Newman's Own" I had read about that in a Time magazine or something. I DO know of sports players who do great things for others because they care... and with the money they make....they can. To be admired by the general public for the good things that one does is a positve thing.... they are deserving of that...I won't deny it. But, I won't buy the tabloids to help support those who make money off of all the hoopla surrounding the "stars" Now, when I was younger I would buy anything I could with David Cassidy or Jan Michael Vincent.... and eat up all the info I could on their lives..... then I got older and found out they were human....lol Now, like you.... I will read about someone's life who interests me.... and enjoy the good things I find out about them, and I may lose respect for some of the choices they made in their lives.... but I still enjoy the talent they have in performing....

Ok.... now I have to add my two cents... I agree that the hype on the celebrities is wrong.... they are people who try to have a normal life here and there and can't. But, I don't think it is healthy to condone the behavior of these people who think they can do what ever they want becasue of their status. But PC... ours is not to show support for what they do that we view as wrong. Monica is right (IMHO) to say that they are making it seem that sinning is OK... and I think that the media and society glorifies their lives and their sins by capitalizing on it. That is why so many tabloids sell. It IS sad that our youth have these type of people to look up too, but then we have to take the the time to explain to our children why they are not they type of example we want them looking up to.. Hard when some kids don't see beyond the pomp and circumstance..... It is our individual right to show support for them or not. I choose not. There are some movies I won't see because I'm not impressed with the lifestyle of the star, same as I wouldn't spend the money to support a story line I don't like, or a type of movie I don't like. M~ I understand that you are seeing the good in whats her name.... that's commendable of you.... I hope you don't take offense that I don't like the hoopla surrounding some of the "stars" I think that everyone has their own ideas of what is right and what is not. To each his own view. Why should we follow the unrepentant behavior of someone period? Yes, I will agree... sometimes things happen when one falls for the "bad boys" believing that things can work out. I'm not a big BS fan..... but I understand her wanting to find love and some happiness in this world... She deserves happiness like everyone else. Sad that she can't try to find it without being front page news.

And your right.... it does all come down to personal faith, and what you will continue to believe.Even when others shove "facts" and "the truth" at you..... and expect you to give up.... I am one of those hardcore believers..... once I believe in something... or someone.... it would take an act of God to turn me away. Facts don't mean much to me.... it's how I feel inside that matters to me. Faith over facts.... It is a battle! I'll fight for faith.

Jason,Who cares? I'm sure that there are a lot of people who care, people who have read the BOM and walked away from it's teachings thinking..... this can't be real. What does it matter? The truth always matters.... it's what we do with the truth that counts. It is a lot easier to live with the truth than to live with the wondering of.... is it... or isn't it real? Well, not that it matters .... but I do care about the truth.... what is true for me helps me get thru my life without wondering.... what if? I get tired of questioning things.... it is a relief to know something is there rock solid and not going anywhere. I'm talking about the basic truths that I have about life and faith.... the truth as I know it... and I am safe and secure in those truths.

How Can Someone Who Lives in Insane Luxury Be a Star in Today's World? Ben Stein wrote an article about how he felt about what a hero is to him.... and Yes, I had it checked out for authenticity :) Here is the full article he wrote for the column.... http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Morton/Archi...003/031220.html

It is hard to come from a family of non believers.... but I think that helps us become the stronger in our faith. It was nice to read about the time your dad spent with you PC... and your outlook on that time spent together is wonderful! Dysfunctional, failures and difficulties..... seems like you were being prepared to take on some of the people who couldn't cope as well in life as you did..... and ended up on the other side of life as you know it now. I'm sure that living thru what you did, really did help you to better understand the inmates who couldn't deal with the dysfunctional, failure of a life they had. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and sometimes it's a hard path to keep on without veering off to avoid getting lost in life....We have a saying in the LDS church.... Hold to the Iron Rod.... the strong, straight rod of what is right that will help you stay on the path....even thru the fog so thick you can't see anything in front of you. Keep ahold of the Iron Rod.... and it will guide you thru the worst. See when things were bad.... I would remember that... and reach out to make sure I can still clutch my hands around it, that I haven't moved so far off the path to be lost in the muck and mire.

Good points... after thinking about it for awhile... I agree the law should be decided by state and not federal.. although I firmly believe that some kind of moral standards need to be implemented for the nation. What's that song.... "you gotta stand for something.... or you'll fall for anything" And I agree, it's such a small percentage...it's almost a non issue...NOW...but what about in the future? And yes, we do have far more important things to focus on... those you mentioned along with dead beat dads, abuse and so much more.... Wouldn't that be great?... a family amendment! One to strengthen the family as a unit.

It's people like you who help put love to others back into this world.... that's great news Outshined... prayers will be with you as asked :)

Well if you ever get a wife, make sure she's half brain dead. Otherwise, you'll have a heck of a time convincing her of something so stupid as that. Oh Jason.... that's why I love ya.... a man who sticks up for the underdog, the women and the children :)Oh and Ray.... You'll probably be the back yard neighbor Ray..... Jason and his family will live right next door to me! :)

OH MY HECK!!!!!! Before I say something REALLY bad about your ludicrous statement........ I'll keep my mouth shut! I don't feed the animals

I agree with the thought of let them in.... teach them .... feed the sheep. I know that what I think is immodest or disrespectful may be totally different than someone else's idea. I happen to like some tatoos.... some are beautiful and meaningful. And, I think that any female who would wear clothing .... or lack of..... just to show off herself and what she has for the world to see.... is just plain disrespectful in the house of the Lord. I think it's disrespectful in the general public also.... but more so in a church. But than, on the otherhand.... you have the member who is cheating on his wife (or her husband) ..... and coming in and taking sacrement every Sunday..... whose the worse? A young girl came to church wearing a prom dress one Sunday..... halter type... was asked to cover her top half before she came into the chapel..... I found nothing wrong with others standing up for and asking for respect for the House of the Lord. Everyone knows what common decency is..... some just don't care to show it. I really like what Trav said about the clothing issue.... made me smile... that is member missionary work :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FUNK! Hope you found a slice of happy in your day.....