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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/8/2008 6:42:41 PM | | You stated the point I am trying to make. because your Wiccan friend does not believe in your faith you state she won't walk throught the pearly gates. Does this mean heaven is reserved for those that believe only as you believe? That must mean the majority of the people living on this planet, you know Muslims for example ,that do not believe the same ideas about religion , are not going to your heaven. Is there a heaven for all ? | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/8/2008 7:59:16 PM | Have you ever thought............
Sometimes I wonder if any of us have it right when it comes to religion and God.
If you put 30 people in a room and read out loud a few verses from the Bible and
you asked each person to tell you what the verses meant to them you will get several interpretations.
Now the question is “who is right?” with their interpretation.
This seems to be how we get different faiths and beliefs. A lot of people believe or interpret things in different ways. Who is to say which is right or wrong.
Some people say you can only be baptized if you are fully immersed in water. I don't think God would deny someone entry into Heaven if they were not fully immersed in water. What if someone was laying in a hospital bed, hooked up to IV's and tubes and found God and wanted to be baptised. Would God want that person to be denied this blessing? No, I don't think He would. I think God would welcome you with open arms if all that was around was a mud puddle to be baptised in.
Others say you only need to be sprinkled by the water. Some say you need to be baptized as an infant and others say you need to be baptized when you are old enough to understand. So, which is right? Different faiths have different beliefs.
I can imagine me standing in front of God and He will ask me if I loved Him with all my heart and if I loved others as I loved Him. I’ll answer yes.
Then I can imagine Him saying…..”Since you loved me with all your heart and claimed me as your Savior, come with me and let me show you what it all really means and what the true interpretation of faith and religion really is. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/8/2008 8:31:33 PM | Wow Jan... incredibly precise in my opinion...
I have been through a lot in my life time. Those of you that know me know that I am raising my grandaughter due to my adult daughters death at age 20. She wasn't a bad kid and wasn't doing anything wrong, just her choices led her to people that she should not of been with and ultimately took her life. This has been a life altering change for me as it was when I FINALLY discovered my heavenly father. ( I was raised Luthern and my parents have been married 58 yrs) because as a child I didn't want to learn, didn't have the patience etc.. HE has saved me from poverty, grief, pain, hunger, heartache etc ( I could go on and on about what he has done for me). I have recently (just this past year and a half) started reading the bible. I read Proverbs daily and read the rest based on the guide inside the bible. When I started attending church (non denominational) I learned even more. I won't go into detail but I want to share something that has moved me incredibly.. I live by this every day because some are harder than others. Some are next to impossible but when it gets like that, I do one thing.............
HOLD ON
Despite the devastation now
Beyond the things I'll never understand
GOD, I'm reaching for your hand
Beyond the questions hanging here
Despite the silence in the air
I believe that your still there
I will hold on to the voice that calls my name
hold on to the heart that feels the pain
hold on to the PROMISE that remains
HOLD ON
I'll hold on to the hand that gently guides
hold on to the strength thats left inside
the shreds of the leaf that just won't die
HOLD ON
The gift of one more day begins
the act of breathing out and breathing in
the will to start again
One more day to serve to give
to reach beyond the wreckage and to live
to respect the sacred gift
Hold on though the world is not the same
hold on to the GOD that will NEVER change
hold on to the fragments of your faith
HOLD ON
Hold on and believe the holy one
you know that his justice will be done
hold on to the KINGDOM YET TO COME
HOLD ON
Just hold on for the world thats turning still
despite every tremor we will feel
HOLD ON, FOR ETERNAL LIFE IS REAL!
Just hold on though the mountains fall apart
the peices of hope left in our heart
hold on until the healing starts
HOLD ON
This song is something that made me realize why life is the way it is. We MUST learn and we must follow our father into eternal life. I couldn't imagine my life any other way.
just believe..thats all you need and have faith.. he loves us UNCONDITIONALLY | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/9/2008 6:20:16 AM | Climber,
Most other religions do not believe in Heaven. Some believe in reincarnation, some believe in spirit etc.
Being as I am a Christian and believe in God, The Son, the Holy Spirit and Heaven. I know that the Bible is my "How to" book.
The Old Testament is outdated being as it was written before Christ but I think that it is sooo cool that those books wrote of the coming of Christ. (Isaiah in particular).
The New Testament tells of Jesus's birth, life and death. It tells of his disciples moving on without him. It tells of the good things he did.
My life today is not a bowl of cherries BUT I never walk alone
And momofanangel....thank you | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 5:10:44 AM | I am surprised that this thread didn't get deleted from the beginning. What does any of this have to do with dating or being single? Why would you want to bring up this topic? Nothing p!sses people off more that talking about religion. This sort of discussion can challenge a person's core beliefs; most people are not comfortable challenging their core beliefs; it makes them feel threatened. When people feel threatened they get loud and argumentative and tend to lose all critical thinking and logic.
With that said...if you wanna know my thoughts on religion, OK here it goes. WARNING! 99% of the people that read this will hate it.
Religion is the scourge of the planet. I hate religion in all of it's variations. It serves no usefulness. It only divides people into the "us" and "them" categories. The ONLY good thing that religion has brought to the planet is law-based civilization, and even that is a "mixed blessing." The only thing I hate more than religion is fundamentalism. Excuse me if I'm wrong on this point, but wasn't it fundamental religious zealots that crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center towers? Wasn't it the fundamentalist religious zealots that blew up abortion clinics and killed abortion doctors? Wasn't it fundamentalist religious zealots who burned people at the stake because they were "witches?" How many more examples do you need to see that religion brings out the very worst in people? The Spanish Inquisition, The Crusades, The Salem Witch Trials, The Holocaust, The Jones-town Massacre, 9-11, etc. all of history's darkest moments and all of them are the work of religious zealots! Still not convinced? Then consider this...even Jesus was the victim of fundamentalist religious zealots! According to Biblical references, Jesus was accused of breaking Jewish religious law and brought to the Roman authorities for "justice." Religion is the "original sin" that put Jesus on that cross. Religion is a disease. It has caused more death and blood-shed than any other virus. I don't see how anyone can honestly think that we can have the "blessings" of The Creator upon us until we learn to overcome and eradicate the planet of this vile stench called religion. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 6:08:50 AM |
I don't think this is about RELIGION...
If this thread is NOT about religion, then what is it about?
I think its about belief and faith..
I haven't read anything that is a spiritual discussion in this thread yet; it is all about the "right" and "wrong" AKA: Religion.
You have on your page a cross for the military.... why a cross????
Good point! Actually, I hate that cross. The cross is a symbol of death. I don't like using a symbol of death to give tribute to my brothers in arms. BUT I tried to make an American flag symbol there and I just couldn't make it work. The American flag would be a better symbol to represent what we are fighting for. The cross is just depressing. So if anyone can help me make an American flag that shows up correctly on the profile page, I will gladly replace the cross.
Maybe this thread is here because a lot of us like to talk about our feelings, our belief or our faith in JESUS!!! It seems the majority rules in this case.
But so far, all I have read on this thread is judgemental-ism, not faith, hope, and love. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 6:39:59 AM | nitewatchman
Maybe you need to read messages 45 and 52. I don't think you will see that these messages are judgemental, at least not in my opinion.
They are MY opinions and gives insight into what I believe. If you don't agree, then that is your opinion and don't read this forum. We ALL have a right to our own opinions.
We all have the right to make our beliefs known and there will be people who won't agree and will tell us that we shouldn't put our opinions on this site. But, we have the right to express our thoughts as you have a right to express yours.
Some of us feel this is an important part in our life and we want to be involved with someone who feels the same way. This is a dating site and people talk about everything from sex to children, death to living, loves to hate.
So, if they can have forums about all these things then why can't we have forums about what is important in our life? | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 7:50:38 AM | Herein lies the difference between the message of the night watchman and lesson 42 and message 52. Like myself, the nitewatchman states his opinion questioning religion in general. That is our opinion. Then look at message 42 and 52 and many others. They ask someone to consider how the bible has made a difference in their lives and if we consider the bible we can do the same. This is a judgement statement, the judgement being the bible can change who we are and how we feel about God.
Deep down in the message I posted is the idea that I reject the bible for the very reason you promote the bible. Either you do not understand how I feel or you chose to ignore how I feel.
As a teacher in the inner city I see the effects of poverty everyday. Some of the kids in my building go to chruch every Sunday. Has God stopped the gunfire that threatens the neighborhood each week. Imagaine having to place your children in an old enameled cast iron bath tub as when the gunfire erupts at night this is the safest place for your babies. Now I realize it shouldn't matter if the city where this takes place is in Iraq, the Sudan or somewhere in Latin America. Violence is violence no matter where it occurs. The fact is this occurs in this Ohio city where people go to chruch. Has praying stopped the bullets, fed the hungry children or provided the medicine for the poor elderly people in the same chruch going neighborhood?
Where is the message of God in this city where everyday life and death occur no matter how many times someone reads the bible or procliams the love of God. Perhaps there is a God. A god that created all. I question where God is a loving God. Given the options I see taking care of my own bussiness as a good choice.
In fact heres a personal story. As a child I went to chruch every Sunday with my mom, brothers, sisters and step father. My job as a 8 year old was to polish the shoes of my step father. I remember one time he did not like the shine. Before we went to chruch that Sunday he beat the crap out of me and called me a lazy ***hole. Going to chruch on Sunday. He read the bible, and we went to chruch on Sunday. The loving God made a difference in my life. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 8:28:33 AM | | All to often we as humans try to define or understand God in human terms, with human emotions, prejudice, and arrogance. Going to church wont make you a christian, or a better person. It wont get you into heaven. It wont solve any problem in your life. How often do we read God's word and not see what it says, much less actually live its intent. Jesus himself admonished many high ranking clergymen, not for the religion, but for their individual hypocrisies. The second most important commandment, by the words of Jesus, is "To love thy neighbor as thyself". How often do we actually do this ? Have you ever turned down anyone in need at anytime ? In the" Lord's prayer", or the " Our Father", as it's called in the Catholic church, we pray " forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". Yet what most want forgiveness for their transgressions, while they hold grudges against anyone who doesn't think or act as they do. God does love us. He actually gave his son for us, so that we may be forgiven for our sins. You do have to actually believe and have faith. Many people attend church every Sunday, and are no more a christian than the next guy. The fault lies with in the individuals that may make up the church and not with the religion. Have faith, fear the Lord, and live your life the best you can with Jesus as your savior, and the miracles will happen. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 9:26:51 AM |
Maybe you need to read messages 45 and 52...
I have no problem with people posting their opinions, so long as they recognize them as opinions. I post my opinions on here a lot, but they are just one man's humble opinion. I don't expect anyone to agree with me, if they do...GREAT! If they disagree, fine. We can discuss our opinions or just agree to disagree.
Message 45 is your opinion. You started that post as, "Some of the things that I live by." That's fine. That's what works for you. I don't live by the same opinions, but if it works for you then who am I to say it's wrong? But those opinions that you live by don't work for me.
Message 52, again is your opinion. You stated...
Sometimes I wonder if any of us have it right when it comes to religion and God.
If you put 30 people in a room and read out loud a few verses from the Bible and
you asked each person to tell you what the verses meant to them you will get several interpretations.
Now the question is “who is right?” with their interpretation.
You see, I don't think that is the question at all. Guessing who's "right" and who's "wrong" on their interpretations is exactly the kind of thing that divides people into the "us" and "them" camps. The simple truth is that NONE OF US HAVE IT "RIGHT." We are all reaching for what we THINK God wants, but none of us really know for sure. That is the very point I was making when it comes to religion. It is religion that takes a simple message and makes it convoluted in terms of "right" and "wrong."
You imagine a "Judgement Day" where a benevolent God will...
...show you what it all really means and what the true interpretation of faith and religion really is.
I don't imagine such a scenario. If there is such a thing as "Judgement Day" it will be each and every soul judging themselves in the presence of The Holy Creator. No words need to be spoken, no questions asked. It doesn't matter who's teachings you followed; Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, or Elvis. We each judge ourselves when we are in the presence of pure Holiness. God doesn't keep a score card of the things that some religions labels as "sin."
BOTTOM LINE... The various books (Bible, Torah, Koran) that people use to base their faith on are just various guidelines that are only ancient words of wisdom and help to be a guidance in this crazy world. Religion teaches that we must follow the "one and only TRUE" rule book or face damnation. When the obvious truth is that most of those rule books say similar things. Religion has distorted those simple truths. The simplest message being "Love thy Neighbor." Somehow religion has screwed up a message as simple as that. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 1:38:40 PM | nitewatchman,
i have stayed out of this thread so far for a number of reasons, some of which you mention.i personally don't want my faith challenged on a public forum, nor do i feel others should. along with a large percentage of people,i have had experiences that are unexplainable and i know where i stand in my belief. "organized religion" is not always a good thing and i think it's fair to say that we all can agree on that. FREEDOM of religion is what this country was founded on. let me be among those to thank you and your "brothers" for defending my country and my right to FREEDOM in my religious, spiritual, or whatever other term we put on those beliefs. i pray daily to my higher power and i hope you all do to, for the safety and emotional well being of those troops that so bravely protect our right to freedom of religion. i thank God for your bravery and dedication and pray that he empowers you with those traits again tomorrow. the same bravery and dedication it took Jesus to be tortured in the name of our FREEDOM from damnation. how can we NOT relate the cross to our troops? | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:31:30 PM |
i have stayed out of this thread so far for a number of reasons
I have stayed out of it also, because it mostly seemed like an opportunity for people (OP) to feel all warm and fuzzy, and some of us hate to rock their world! Others (aka nitewatchman and climbsagain) view it as a opportunity! However I have a difficult time listening to people who pigeionhole religion into a box of convenience, and get angry when anyone dares to challenge their comfort zone. I have a difficult time with religion altogether. It seems to me that everyone gets religious when there is disaster in their personal lives or on a national level. The churches were full to capacity the Sunday after 9-11. Every Easter and Christmas people show up that never darken the doors any other time. I always wondered why, now I know. People for the most part are sick of religion. You don't have to look far to find someone who had a horrible experience with someone who was considered to be a "christian", so they are now disillusioned and bitter. That category includes me. I have witnessed people say things in the "name of Jesus" that I would not say to my worse enemy. People who are hurting and looking for something they can believe in were shunned because they didn't conform fast enough.
Several years ago I began to question everything. Why did I believe the way that I did? As I searched my heart I realized that I was a product of my environment, and I found that my personal beliefs no longer fit into any of the secular religions. I could no longer sit in a pew being brainwashed into saying what they expected. Karl Marx stated, "Religion....was the opium of the masses." If you follow the teaching and say all that is expected you are obedient, if you question too vehemently, you are asked to leave.
Am I athiest? Absolutely not, but I don't believe in one all inclusive God that everyone must serve accordingly. Religion sickens me, but I completely acknowledge that there is a spritual realm we cannot see, yet exists. I believe in a Higher Power that directs our path and has pre-ordained a destiny for each of us yet recognizes our free will to accept or reject that destiny. My inner spirit recognizes His presence when I am surrounded by it and the pureness of it moves me to tears immediately. THAT is what I believe in.
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:01:46 PM | If this Thread bothers so many of you, why read or post on it??
Why are you all afraid to share you beliefs?
I'm not afraid to share the core of my belief and I NEVER told you what religion I am nor did I say what religion you should be
I love the idea of FREEDOM of RELIGION! I wonder why we have it when people are taking it away?
And what does it have to do with being single or dating? I won't date a non-Christian, athiest or agnostic. Will I have them for friends? Most certainly.
People there is a big difference between religion and spirituality.
RELIGION IS MAN MADE.
SPIRITUALITY IS GOD MADE.
If you choose to worship buddah, a goddess, allah or yourself so be it! I choose Jesus Christ as my Saviour. No one else has died for me accept a soldier and I thank God for that.
Robin | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:07:58 PM |
Every Easter and Christmas people show up that never darken the doors any other time.
I'm pretty much an agnostic, but you might see at church on Easter & Christmas. Those days bring back fond memories from my childhood. I come from a big family and I remember the big family dinners and the warmth of those holidays. My parents have long since past and my sibs have their own families now as well me and my family, but the church service, mainly the songs & celebration, allow me to relive the experience just for the day. You might find it hypocritical, but I at a point in life where I don't care what others think, I take from it what I need. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 2/11/2008 12:56:58 PM |
To me when god says don't do something and there is the consequences and you do what he says not to do shouldn't you expect the consequences? YES !!
So when god told adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge and if he did he would positively die. So what happend to adam when he did eat of the tree? Did god look the other way NO Adam eventally DIED did he not? So what I'm saying is I (SKIP) believe that if god say fornicators and drunkards won't inherit gods Kingdom I (SKIP) believe that..
Geez - if it depends only on a law written - I wouldn't give one hoot about another person. ..I'm a christian and it broke my heart for along time that i couldn't keep the rules...I looked around and noticed noone else was keeping them either... How could this be???
Being loved by Christ is not dependent upon what I do - It's dependent upon who He is.
If He can't love me as imperfect and stumbling around this world trying to be my best, I guess I am wrong about Him. I realize I am incapable of judging myself - so I will reserve the judgment of others to someone much greater than me.
I've heard from God. He told me I would have surgery, I was to go on afterwards and not look back. I didn't have a dr but the voice told me who to go to . That dr. thought i had a thyroid problem but it turned out to be much bigger and I had one horrible year in and out of Cleveland Clinic. My surgeon (who had just recently developed special equipment for the intricate procedure) arrived just before me and left on time - as I was finished w/surgeries. I had 3 surgeries and at least 3 strokes while raising 2 teens on my own and no family (no man) around. The only one that could stop the chronic pain was christ. Pills didn't do the job for me.
I learned from those strokes not to judge anyone by their behavior. My struggles couldn't be seen on the outside. People saw me as the same person no matter what phase I was in. When parts of my brain were damaged, my percepetion became different. The best doctors at Cleveland couldn't understand the brain prints they saw. All they could say is what was on film.
I wasn't as bright or cheerful... I've had to go on and fortunately alot of the symptoms and personality changes are gone.....
But, I've also quit going to church. I decided there were things in my life that I was denying myself in the name of religion. I struggled and decided I will do what I believe is right for me.
Yes, I love Christ. However, after my experience with Christ and myself, I decided to come down from my perch and accept I am not perfect or whole. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 3/20/2008 4:44:14 PM | There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.
So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork,
the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged
the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right h and. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have , and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. | |
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| Hearing from Above, or (MINI) teachings about Him Or Questions you may have about HIM!!!
Posted: 3/22/2008 6:28:11 AM |
I am surprised that this thread didn't get deleted from the beginning. What does any of this have to do with dating or being single? Why would you want to bring up this topic? Nothing p!sses people off more that talking about religion. This sort of discussion can challenge a person's core beliefs; most people are not comfortable challenging their core beliefs; it makes them feel threatened. When people feel threatened they get loud and argumentative and tend to lose all critical thinking and logic.
This is what it is ALL about to me ... ALLOWING people to be people ... ALLOWING them to give and receive information, sharing, caring, concern, etc.
Okay, trying to put sarcasm aside ... isn't this one of the more intelligent topics!
Challenging our core beliefs may make some uncomfortable, but also make us stronger and better people ... my goal, for sure. Can be a sharing of info, not
a challenge! You might realize the person is not right for you before you marry
them and DIVORCE them! Now, there's a thought.
GOSH, it might even carry over into a loving RELATIONSHIP ... if you are looking for that sort of thing. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Crok.
And just 2 more of my cents ... God is all forgiving and does not damn you to hell ... you put yourself in the lower kingdom.  ASSUME ACCOUNTABILITY.  | |
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