Maureen

How about "thod"? Just kidding. I'm sure I'll think of something.M.

Awwww...that's too bad Taoist..er...I mean Unorthodox. I liked the name Taoist. I never spelled out your whole name because it would have taken too long. Now I guess I'll have to be brave and strong and spell out your new 10 letter name instead of your nice and short 6 letter name. M.

If there are any zealous anime fans out there that have not made plans for the summer yet - there is an Animethon in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on July 17th and 18th. Here's a link with all the important information. It gets updated frequently. http://www.animethon.org M.

I am not an ardent anime fan, but some of the characters I do enjoy are: Spike from Cowboy Bebop Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro Miyu from Vampire Princess Miyu M.

Also, is the father of the missionary/soldier Robert or Roger?M.

It is strange that people can be so "emotional" and "sensitive" over fictional stories and characters. I'm one of them, but only with Star Trek shows. I'm a big fan of Voyager and now Enterprise and am really getting involved with these characters and stories. I'll check out the Forums section at spacecast.com and a few of the posters whine about these shows, and reading their opinions practically throws me into a panic attack...it's crazy....I'm crazy!!!! M.

Well actually, in Christian theology, Jesus is not considered a god; he is God. The great "I am".Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Judeans replied, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!” (John 8:56-58) For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, (other translations say Wonderful Counselor) Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NET Bible) M.

When I started Grade 1 these books about Tom, Betty and Susan were used to teach kids to read, here's a description:MY LITTLE RED STORY BOOK By Odille Ousley & David H. Russell My Little Red Story Book was originally issued in 1948 as the first pre-primer in the Ginn Basic Reading series. This title followed the Readiness book, Fun with Tom and Betty. My Little Red Story Book was revised and reissued in 1953, 1957, 1961, 1964 and 1966. If I can remember the plot it went something like this: Tom can run, See Tom run. Tom can run fast! I figured since you're originally from Canada you may have heard of these books, but I guess you're not old enough. :) M.

A little more from the same thread: Salvation without Faith, regarding the Doctrine of Election: This is how I understand the doctrine of Election. This is new to me so I'm still trying to figure it out myself: Man because of sin does not naturally seek after God: …just as it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. (Romans 3:10-11) God instead seeks after man to draw mankind to Him: Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4) The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32) Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world." (John 8:12) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44) Even if God seeks after mankind it is still up to mankind to make the final choice. …because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. (Romans 10:9-10) If God is omniscient he is insightful regarding the heart and mind of man. Through God’s irresistible grace mankind is kindly persuaded into noticing God. But because of mankind’s sinful nature, man will not make the first move so God must seek out man to save him. M.

I borrowed all this from a post I did in response to one of Snow's thread's I believe called Salvation without Faith - I've edited this one a little. From the essay, My Understanding of the Biblical Doctrine of Election by Daniel B. Wallace, Ph.D. he says of God and the doctrine of Election: http://www.bible.org/docs/soapbox/election.htm …Many folks want to seek a balance between God's sovereignty and human free will. A balance needs to be sought, but this is not the place. Nowhere do we read in the Bible that God is not sovereign over our wills. Further, we have the explicit testimony of Romans 9 to the opposite effect. As well, there is an inherent imbalance between a creature's will and the Creator's will. What right do we have to claim that these two are equal? The real balance comes between the two broad categories of God's attributes. God has moral attributes (goodness, love, mercy, justice, etc.) and amoral attributes (he is infinite, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, etc.). In short, the balance is between his sovereignty and his goodness. If God only had amoral attributes, he may well be a tyrant. If he only had moral attributes, he would be incapable of effecting change in the world; he would be impotent. Putting all this together we see the majesty and mystery of God. God's attributes cannot be compartmentalized. That is, he is good in his sovereignty, infinite in his mercy, loving in his omnipotence. However, we as mere finite creatures cannot comprehend the grandeur of his plan. Isaiah 55:8-9 says: "My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts; but just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." There is no contradiction in God, but there is finite understanding in us. The doctrine of election tells us that God chooses who he desires to know Him through the power of the Holy Spirit (without taking away free choice), which in turn can be like a domino effect; when we share with others the wonderfulness of God. Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will— to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth. In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory. And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14) The book of Romans I believe may have the answer (in a round about way) how faith is central to knowing about God but also that life is not so cut and dry and that not everyone can come to that knowledge. Romans says this: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20) These verses though seem to be talking about people who have a choice because of knowledge and have chosen to reject God. Romans also says: But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. (Romans 10:8-17) So through the doctrine of election God has supplied us with knowledge of Him through the proclaiming of His good news by those he has chosen to proclaim Him, ie ministers, preachers, missionaries, even ourselves. Paul asks: But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. But again I ask, didn’t Israel understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger.” And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.” But about Israel he says, “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient and stubborn people!” (Romans 10:18-21) Paul is specifically talking about Israel here. Israel has rejected Christ, so does that make them lost, their situation hopeless? No! Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth… Romans 11:32-36 says: For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God needs to repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen. So God is really in charge. If God is waiting for an appropriate time to bless Israel he more than likely has the same intent for those who made their own choice to reject God and for those who had no choice. ...but as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” (Romans 15:21, see also Isaiah 52:15) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) I believe God gives mankind many chances to know Him, through the Holy Spirit. In the end I believe God will have the final say on who will have salvation and whatever he chooses and judges will be good. M.

Not at all, Taoist. Your visual descriptions of the resurrecting bodies were visually descriptive. I'm teasing. But I do see in your near future, those bedtime stories you read your daughter will be quite exciting and she'll be too excited to actually go to sleep - you know like Harry Potter, nothing weird like Tom, Betty and Susan. (Did you learn to read from Tom, Betty and Susan or am I aging myself?) M.

Interesting topic and I'm a fan of bible.org, so I will read the essay as soon as I'm able. Just as a side note regardings Jason's topic about the Doctrine of Election. I believe and agree with the Doctrine of Election, just for the record. :) M.

Are you sure Taoist, because I think you may have something there regarding the metamorphosis of the demon looking dead guy into Wesley Crusher. You should write the next TNG movie - oh but wait - no more movies for TNG. Hey what about Voyager, are you a Voyager fan. They could really use a movie. :) M.

Agreed.B'Elanna Torres is a nice mix, half Klingon, half Human - nice balance of aggression and humanity all wrapped up into one great character. :) M.

And which mod asked you to calm down? Or are the mods exempt from being overly emotional about posts. Just because you have the power to control other posters' style of response doesn't mean you should ignore your own. For yourself too? When did I say you were nasty? I said you were emotional. And I'm surprised you didn't ban me, because that what mods seem to do lately when they don't like something that disagrees with their opinion - remember power corrupts. It also doesn't mean that whoever buys it will get rid of it. M.

If you have a rule about certain avatars then put that in the rules - LDS Code of Conduct - and then people like me don't have to be confused about these requests.And as far as I know Heather is selling the board not getting rid of it. And your sensitivity that I have observed has not just been toward Rodney's avatars but also toward shanstress70. You are/were both getting quite emotional over each others posts and you requested shans to chill - taking ones own advice might be appropriate sometimes. Remember LT you've been here longer, are a moderator, so you're the one who should lead by example - shans is the novice to the boards - she deserves some latitude, IMO. M.

Well, that's a matter of opinion, I must say. If you ask me, I agree with Jenda. Lately LT has been a bit sensitive, but I'm sure it will pass. :) M.

LaurelTree - I like this KJV scripture: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) M.

Someone complained about Rodney's avatar when it was Dr. Evil. What's the poor guy to do, when he keeps getting picked on because of a silly picture.M.

I'm neither LDS or RLDS and I agree with Jenda. M.

I like a variety of red and white wines from all over the world. They're good for digestion and they keep your arteries clean - wonderful benefits in my book.M.

An interesting question. Can I take it to mean that you are happy to see my posts here again on this board? I think its got to do with familiarity. There have been a few new people here, so when an old poster shows up it sparks curiousity as to where they've been and it's a reminder that you were once a very regular poster here. To confess, I didn't actually read your post, just skimmed it a bit. But I did notice it was you. :) M.

Ray, you're back. Where have you been? M.

I think Signaturebooks offers good, reliable information with their historical or biographical collection. I would trust them.M.

If you're really interested Taoist, I recommend finding some books to read. Here are some suggestions from:http://www.signaturebooks.com/ Brigham Young The New York Years RICHARD F. PALMER and KARL D. BUTLER Charles Redd Monographs in Western History Series No. 14 Paperback. 116 Pages. / 0-941214-07-9 / $11.95 The Essential Brigham Young EUGENE E. CAMPBELL, FOREWORD Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 3 Hardback. 280 Pages. / 1-56085-010-8 / $22.95 M.