stevegoad

Reading these and other threads, I can only say one thing: Only one more day to the election: And I am so glad we can get past all this stuff soon!

If somehow you want to put me in the catagory of sinner who doesn't agree with God because I don't agree with you... so be it. I wasn't put here in this life to impress someone in Connecticut that I have never even met. Nor do I have to prove my faith. "What would Jesus do" is fine for wristbands and bumper stickers, and has some real truth. (Sean Hannity's "What Would Ronald Reagan Do?" is stupid, but WWJD is OK). But if you want to get down to it your pious stand on the moutaintop shouting "Sinner, Repent" doesn't do it. Jesus said "the greatest commandment is this: that you love the Lord your God... and the second is like it, that you love your neighbor as yourself." But like I said, I'm really not worried about impressing others, and it is really not my desire to tell you that you are wrong for voting your conscience.

In America, 25 days to Thanksgiving. Around the world, 53 days until Christmas. 60 days to New Years. For people of the Jewish faith, sorry for not knowing the timeline until Hannikah And there are other faith groups and ethnic groups having holiday season besides. So the quick question: How do we, as people devoted to losing weight, handle all the turkey, dressing, tamales, cranberries, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc? I know I already have 3 reunion meals to go to... and the only one at any of these who knows I have been banded is my wife. So it should be interesting. So there's the question: Discuss.

That may be true, Gadgetlady. But I feel that privately owned hospitals, especially a religious organization, would be exempt, even if it took the catholic church taking the government on in court. Certainly physicians would still as individuals have the right to choose.

Because I don't see that beating someone up is an effective way for me, a sinner under Christ's love, to deal with another person who Christ's loves as much. It was the same approach when I had the chance to go into a prison and preach to some convicted prisoners. I believe going in with love is a better path.

thanks gadgetlady. I'm glad you understand. It really (no exaggeration) means alot. Sorry about the diet comment, Jack.

Go into the hills in East Texas and say that. It happens more often than you might think.

I spent a great deal of time with the girl regarding the choice, the parents in their reaction, the boy that got her pregnant, and the youth group that she was a part of. And I did not in any way try to make her feel like a sinner for her choice, but instead tried to share the love of Christ to show her a better direction.

I've read Exodus. Also Jeremiah (while you were in your mother's womb, I knew you). I've also held the hand of a 13 year old girl who was pregnant and homeless because her parents disowned her for her action. She was not fit to be a parent. And for the record, I tried to convince her to give it up for adoption. She wasn't ready for that. So it is not my first choice, but it is a choice that I think should be legal. And please don't question my faith or my work as a pastor. You don't know me that well, and if you continue, I might just have to pray for you.

OK... I'm backing out. I do know that, on the issue of abortion I disagee with Obama, and I am not convinced that he has a great economic plan. I don't necessarily agree with Obama. I don't agree with McCain on the war, the death penalty or gun control, and I am definilty not convinced about his economic plan. I am not going to try to convince anyone that they need to go against their moral convictions. So how are those diets going?

"Read my lips... no new taxes." "You won't have Richard Nixon to kick around anymore." "We have won the war." "I did not have relations with that woman..." Politicians always make concrete statements. Oh well.

No, I don't trust people who take comments out of context. As I said, I am basically pro-life. Second and Third trimester abortions should only be done in the case of a mother's life, and if they are truly life threatening, then they need to be done in hospitals. BTW>>> Before I am called, my first attempt to simply state a couple of general facts without making debate points failed. I am sorry for going back on my pledge to leave the political debates until after the election.

I did see a longer segment... He can't "first thing" sign the freedom of choice act if it doesn't come before him from congress. But more importantly, he was saying that in response to the question "what would you do to rollback the changes that have come." That was the expected answer. I doubt he would stand before Planned Parenthood and say "I won't do anything because I can't constitutionally change what the courts have said." In essence, considering his audience, the question, and some context, it's an expected answer, and one that means little.

Oh... that clarifies it. Nothing personal, but if the best you can do is put a commercial made spefically with the purpose to make Obama look like a mad abortionist, with 1/2 a sentence from Obama, given to a Planned Parenthood Rally, without context, then it means nothing.

He did say in the debates it would be a litmus test, in that he would not want someone who would say no abortion at any time. But that should be obvious, since the supreme court looks at individual cases... not issues. If a judge says "I do this always" then they are not fit to judge. His statement making it directly abortion was because he was asked directly about abortion. As far as the Freedom of Choice Act, pardon me if I have not read that act, and so I can't speak on it. I will say that I also have not heard him say this was his planned first act. And I doubt it will roll back everything. I somewhat think that is an exaggeration. But we will have to see.

OK... for whoever is still listening. Let me lay a couple of facts out. Row v. Wade took place in the early 70's. Once or twice since then it has come before the supreme court. Nothing big has changed it. I am basically pro-life, though I don't have a big problem with first trimester abortions. But if that is a factor, it might not come up at all during the next 8 years. While a president does nominate judges, there is no guarantee as to how they will vote. (remember, it was a Bush apointee who completely went against the conservative thought with Guantamo Bay). So to make abortion the big factor is somewhat iffy reasoning. As far as churches, as a former pastor, I was very careful to never put my political beliefs in the pulpit. I was asked by some politicians if they could speak at my church, and I never did allow it (actually, I would have allowed it each time, but none would agree to my rules of them preaching without campaigning.) As a matter of fact, no one in my congregations would ever know who I voted for, with the one exception of the Texas Lottery, and I stated my disapproval for that with the Methodist Church's blessing and encouragement. I will not go so far as to say that a church should lose its tax free status if they cross the line into politics, although there are some who cross the line and are making me rethink the issue. In any case, while Christians should be politically aware and active, as should clergy, the politics of people should be left at the door on Sunday mornings.

Hey, I went to college in Fort Worth (Texas Wesleyan) and did my Masters in Dallas (SMU), so I have hung out in that area a good bit. Glad you're here. Hang in there on the pre-op diet - it can be tricky, but remember, it is meant to help the surgery go better. But if you mess up one day, don't get down on yourself. It won't hurt it (with the exception of eating after midnight the night before... that is not good with anasthesia). But it will be alright.

:thumbup:Congratulations! :cool2: Way to go! :biggrin:

In September, I had my second fill. This one took me to 5.1 cc's. After this fill, I was a bit discouraged, because if anything, I felt less restriction than before. Right after that, I went into a 4 week plateau on my weight (actually, a 4 week bounce, going between 332 and 327 and back). This past Tuesday night, I ate a double-meat hamburger with all the veggies, and still had room for some fries. Like I said, I wasn't feeling much restriction. Then yesterday, Thursday, I had my third fill. When they said they were just adding one more CC, I figured it wouldn't do much... but WOW... What a difference. I went through all day yesterday on just liquids - 2 Protein shakes and a cup of tomato Soup. And I was satisfied. Today, I had a shake early this morning... at about 12, my wife and I both left work early... Since our daughter was with us, the dreaded fast food came up... today, 4 chicken nuggets, and I was stuffed. 3 hours later, I still am quite satisfied. While 1 1/2 days in is a bit hard to say, it seems I have hit the sweet spot. I know when I lose more weight it will probably change, but at least for now, it is wonderful!. Well, I just thought I would write and let you know. For those who are wondering if they will hit it, you might just be one fill away. So hang in there! It will happen!

I personally miss Alan Keyes and his plan for a national sales tax (as I recall, he wanted a 13% sales tax, excluding food and housing in order to assist lower income families...). Much better than an income tax. BTW... when did Halloween get away from being a kids night. I am tired of people coming to my door who need shaves.:smile2:

Amen to that.

I was listening to the radio today - a national talkshow host who shall remain nameless. Anyway, a woman was talking about how she had lost some friends because of the election. The host ***RUSHed*** to say that she had not lost friends, because if the liberals wouldn't be her friend because of her conservative beliefs, they weren't her friend. No doubt, if her friends were not tolerent, than it was a shame. But I have no doubt that, no matter who wins, there will be intolerance. I felt that the host "RUSHED" because he didn't even check if, perhaps, she was being intolerant of her liberal friends. Really, I don't think anyone around here knows my politics. Yes, I have jumped in on the Obama side of the debate, but it might surprise many to know that, when I did early voting yesterday, I voted 90% for republicans. I voted for 2 democrats, one liberterian, and about 20 republicans. The fact is, I have close friends who vote republican because of issues like pro-life and taxes, I have close friends who vote democrat because of issues like gun control and opposition to the war. Yes, we should vote. Yes, we should vote our conscience. Yes, we should be willing to debate the issues. But on Wednesday, we will still be Americans. In January when whoever is elected takes the oath of office, we will still be Americans. On election day, 2012, we will still be Americans. As long as we remain united, we will still be. This thread was not meant as a divisive post, but in hopes of us uniting. I am not asking anyone to vote like I do... because I don't have your conscience. I just want to see how we can remain united no matter who becomes president. **** NOTE**** By my use of the word RUSH in my post is not meant to say that Rush Limbaugh was the talk show host that I was listening to - Although if you listened to Rush today, you might have heard a similar call...

My second fill was a very similar situation, poking and poking for nearly half an hour. It was very rough, and I feel for you. But keep hope - Today, I went for my third fill (up to 6.1) - and it hit first try, and went perfect! (For me, it seems to work best if they use the short needle instead of the long one).

In Texas, there have been e-mails and phone calls sent, telling people that if they want to vote straight democratic tickets, they still need to vote seperately for Obama - the e-mails say it is necessary. But by voting straight ticket, and then voting a specific name, it deletes that vote. Note: This was voted on KTRH Radio in Houston, a very admittedly conservative talk radio station. Their admission that such tactics from people on the republican side is a difficult thing for a FOX owned station. So it goes both ways. It is not just democrats. I didn't read anything in the Indianapolis article that said anything other than that they didn't clean the rolls well. Really, do we need another thread to sling mud into the process?

Well, I just had my third fill. At 6.1 now. I have been told it might be 4 5 or even 6. So with three, I am currently feeling a difference, though day one is hard to say if it will stick. Just hang in and don't worry. The "sweet spot" will most likely change as you lose weight anyway.