pattygreen

I heard an analogy once: We're all sitting in a theatre watching the stage. People in the front row are totally unaware of what's behind them. The people at the back row see the whole thing. As we grow in spirit or consciousness it's like we keep moving back and seeing more of the whole. At some point on our journey we become aware that there are rows behind us that we haven't reached yet. Yet some people in the front will insist that this is all there is. To be "born again" as God refers to it in the bible must then be likened to having a back row seat.

So, you're an elitist. You are above the rest of us in spirituality. How nice for you. Anyone who has discovered something so wonderfully spiritual and has no desire to share the experience with others so that they may obtain it (or even deny it if they wish), really has nothing at all. Because those who have something want to share it. It's human nature. P.S. Only God can open a persons mind to a higher level of awareness. (consciousness) We get this gift from Him when he deems we are ready for it. It's called knowledge and wisdom. Every single thing that we have, from our posessions to our thankfulness to our wisdom comes from His grace and mercy that he pours out on those who believe in him. We can not even love others without God first putting that desire to love within us.

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finally, something I agree with you about.

tell us about it then.

Yes. I would do it all over again. I definitely made the right decision to have the lapband. You will be soooo happy when you can do all the things you would like to do, like buy regular sized clothes. But, like you said, your health is the best reason to do it.

While it is true that many believers in Jesus have used already instated celebrations and changed them to reflect their beliefs, it does not mean that God doesn't exist, or that man created 'God". IMO, it would have been better if the beginning Christians had set up new holidays for those who came to believe in God. Like his birthday and his resurrection. But to me, since noone knows the exact date for these occasions, it doesn't matter when I Celebrate them. Since most celebrate Jesus' birth on Dec. 25th, then I will too. Same with Easter. I celebrate these days, but not as most do with bunnies and santa.

Who created God? I will try to answer that one. That question is illogical, somewhat like "to whom is the bachelor married?". If the universe needs a 'cause' then why doesn't God need a 'cause'? And if God doesn't need a cause why should the universe need a cause? 1. everything that has a beginning has a cause. 2. the universe has a beginning. 3. Therefore the universe has a cause. The universe requires a cause because it had a beginning. God didn't have a beginning so He needs no cause. Einstein's general relativity shows that time is linked to matter and space, so time itself would have begun with matter and space. Since God is the creator of the universe, he is the creator of time. Therefore, he is not limited by the time demension he has created. No one created God. He always was.

Sometimes I wonder how anyone can get through this life, what with its heartaches and troubles and all, and not have God there to comfort them and to reassure them that this life is but a breath, and that it is the spiritual part of ones life that lives for all eternity, not the physical part. Whenever anything bothers me or afflicts me, I just hold onto that hope that I have in Jesus to bring me through it and I try to remember that this life is not eternal. Not that I don't enjoy humanity, but just knowing that there is something even more joyful awaiting me is very comforting and brings peace to my soul. I'm sorry that you lost your husband. How long ago was that? Do you mind me asking? You're right when you say that God has a reason for all that he does. He is the author of life and only he can decide when a life ends. He knows what is best for us, yet it is hard for us when we go through things. He understands that also.

sam, thank you for your kind words. They meant alot to me. Patty

The emails that were found by those computer hackers about global warming showed a pattern of suppression, manipulation and secrecy that was inspired for profit. They removed data that disputes the claims that global warming and the danger that comes with it is upon us. They reveal the shameful distortion of the truth by scientists who are supposed to search for the truth. This is one of the reasons why I don't put my faith in Science and I put it in God instead. He never lies. The science on warming is not 'settled' as some so called experts claim, because those emails 'unsettled' them. Liberal liars!

you just reminded me of the most important thing that I could do to start wieght loss again. Exercise! I must confess, that I don't do it. I am busy with so much, and I know that is not a good excuse, but I don't have any other one. Bob, I will pray that all goes well for you and your surgery. Patty

Did God want you to be a missionary? Did He call you to do that? Did God intend for you to be married? God is in control. He is the potter and we are the clay. A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. He determines what will happen in your life. Rejoice, for God has a special purpose for your life.

Bob, I've been banded for 1 &1/2 years now. I needed to lose about 100 lbs., and lost 60 all together. I am 5'6" and weigh 221 right now. Although I am happy to be free from diabetic medication and am feeling much better with 60 lbs. off me, as you can imagine, I am a little disappointed that I didn't lose more. I would love to take off 40 more pounds. and weigh around 180. I can remember being very comfortable with myself at that weight. I like the fact that I can maintain this 60 lb weight loss and not gain any more again, and I am really grateful for the diabetes being under control. I am still borderline, so I have to watch the kinds of foods I eat, but I can eat anything I want. No restrictions. I try to stay away from bread and potatoes mostly, cause I can only take 2 or 3 bites of them, and I'm feeling blocked or stuffed. It took alot of getting used to a new way of feeling full. I threw up alot. It takes only one bite too many at a meal, and I would need to throw up that one bite. I still do that sometimes, but I've learned to stop eating before I got to that point now. I am sure if I put my mind to it, I would be able to lose more, because at this point, my band has done all that it can for me on its own. I will have to be disciplined to get the rest of the weight off, and the band will be my tool to do that now. I'm just happy and content where I'm at, and don't seem to care about my weight anymore like I did when I was 60 lbs heavier. I know I should work at getting more weight off, but ....Oh well, I guess I need some motivation or something.:tongue_smilie:

No one is denying that they created some government jobs. But this country feels that MORE government jobs is not what we need. We need more private sector jobs. We also don't need temporary jobs that will only last until the job is finished or until the funds run out. We will be right back to where we were if that happens. Liberals live in the here and now and relish in it instead of looking down the road and seeing what their efforts that they are praising right now will bring them then.

I used to be republican and that's what I was when I registered to vote way back when, but just this past few months I made a decision to be independant. All these years I have voted republican simply because the candidate was the lesser of the two evils. If a democrat claimed to be and showed himself to be a born again Christian and he stood for all that I believed he would have my vote, but come on, that's never going to happen.:tongue_smilie:

I don't think anyone should accept the stimulus. It isn't 'stimulating' anything. Oh yeah, except the next town over got millions of dollars worth of new buses. And some teachers got a fancy vacation to a high class hotel with airfare and all to name a few. Oh brother, what a waste!

Yes, I find it offensive. But I believe that he just doesn't understand God's ways. So many people say stupid things. Sarah Palin never had an abortion as far as I know, and her child had a disability. This proves him wrong.

I am registered as a republican so that I can vote in primaries, but I vote independantly so that I can choose the candidate with the best morals, integrity and character in my opinion.

So what. Al Gore said this: "In 50 years there will be no North Pole in the summertime." Talk about stupid! Do you need to believe everything someone says? If you want to know if it's true, read God's word for yourself. Or, ask yourself: Do I know anyone who had an abortion and then had a second child? Was the child disabled? If it wasn't, then he's wrong about what he said about God punishing women who had an abortion. Although, I do believe that God allows natural consequences for our wrong doings to occur so that we could learn and benefit from them.

It has to do with this: When money gets handed to you for free, human nature says "take it." The government is the one with the problem and needs to be the ones to stop handing it out. The states (republicans) are not the ones with the problem for taking it.

God doesn't "give" people disabilities. The world we live in is the world we have made it into. When a person eats food that is bad for them, and their arteries get clogged, is it God's fault that he ends up with heart disease? When a mother uses drugs or smokes cigarettes while she is pregnant, is it God's fault that the baby may come out with an addiction or with a low birth weight? No. Our heredity plays a big part in our babies outcome as well. If our extended family had children that were mentally slow, there is a chance that generations down the road a child will be born mentally slow. This is not God "intentionally" giving a disability to a baby. This is life, and the consequences for sin entering the world when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," God said. Death was not supposed to be for mankind when God created us. But because sin entered the world, God had to allow death. Disease is a part of all that. So, while God "allows" things in life to happen, he does not intentionally cause them to happen to people.

Just like the $400. check you'll get back from the IRS just for working in 2009, noone is going to refuse it. It is up to the Federal government to STOP handing out the money. Not up to the people or the States to refuse to spend it. Come On!!! Whose going to get a check in tha mail for nothing and send it right back?! Nobody. The government knows this and so does everybody in this country! The way to stop government spending is to stop handing out the money. The gov. created a false appearance of job pickup by creating 'some', and the emphasis is on 'some, TEMPORARY government jobs. They will end when the money runs out. Then we will be right back where we were.

I didn't read any of those things on the site. I just liked the song. I don't support same sex marriage or gays in the military.

Even if everything I believe is one big farce, I would not choose to live any other way. My faith in Jesus is the answer to my every worry, fear, problem, etc. It gives me peace and security and serenity and a hope to look forward to. Even if I am wrong, and I can say without a doubt in my mind that I'm not, this is the best way to live out anyones life. After my searching and learning and dicovering of all the many things there is to know about God, I can say that he is real and he has shown himself to me in many ways that I could not even begin to tell you here. If you think that I have been 'indoctrinated' by the words in the bible, you are sooooo right. I've been indoctrinated by God and I am so grateful for his love for me. I am so glad that he loved me enough to make me part of his family. He loves all of you as well. If only you would reach out to get to know Him. Oh well.... only you can make that choice.