pattygreen

Fair enough. But not for me. I stand on the word of God and make all of my decisions by it. I suppose we can just wait and see what happens when we decide not to stand by Israel any longer.

I believe that MJ was a victim of parents who used his talents to better themselves financially, and never took a moment to recognize that their children were lacking a 'normal' childhood. They didn't allow him to have fun and play and grow. They took that away from him. I heard that they also abused him. (his dad, anyway) After receiving all that fame, it became impossible to be 'normal' again. He was a prisoner. No more taking a walk. Always having a body guard around you. You can get confused about things. Money doesn't by love or happiness. He never liked women, and for that matter, he never liked men either. (at least we never saw him with any, except for Priscilla Presley, whom I believe he married as a ruse to fool the public into believeing he had sexual interests in women, and not children.) But that's just my opinion, and it can't be proven of course. I think he was psychologically ill. I think he was lonely, depressed, sickly, a man who didn't like who he was (the plastic surgerys tell me that),hooked on pain killers and after being accused, whether innocent or not, it took its toll on him. He lost almost all his money from what I read, and had to 'tone' down his lavish lifestyle. When you're used to money being there for you, cause you have nothing else, and then it's not there anymore, what else is there? He had his children, but what did they think? Their moms were paid off for sole custody by him. What would you think of your dad if he bought you? What do they think of their mother? She got her price. It's hard to believe anyone would sell her children to their father. It certainly is what the world would call dysfunctional. What a shame. I didn't really like his music, except when I was a teen in the 70's, when he was young with his brothers.

You can't clean up by spreading more dirt everywhere. Just because one person in the lead spent billions, doesn't mean the next one has to spend trillions. How does that clean it up? Some people just make me laugh. "Bush spent soooo much money, Obama is just 'fixing' everthing." Oh, please! Obama is turning this country into a socialistic state. He's doing it so fast that his worshipers can't even see it. There's no time to even contemplate his actions, cause he goes on to the next project at lightening speed. Just wait. You think a gallon of milk is priced high now. You think apartment rentals are hitting the roof now. These expenses have to be paid by someone, and they will only be passed on to you and me (the consumer).

Yes, we should support them because they are God's chosen people. Whenever anyone messes with my kids, they better watch out! I protect them and keep them from harm and they get my attention when they call on me to help them. Also, what man deems right and just, God may not.

a random comment concerning Israel.

Headhunter, that was a touching story. I like what you said about a puppy or kittens face. They are adorable. I have both. A chocolate labrador, and a gray and white tabby cat. (Coco and Gizmo) I absolutely adore them. It's the 'amazing' things in life that show us that God is real. The incredible birth of a baby, the catipillar that turns into a butterfly, nature, the rising and setting of the sun. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

In the book of Genesis God clearly states concerning Israel in chapter 12, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples will be blessed through you." There are other scriptures that are similar. I believe it would be best for everyone to support Israel.

That's really funny. Truth is, even though we disagree on alot of issues, I like bjean a whole lot.

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it really felt good to agree with you on somethings, bjean.

I am not suggesting that everyone stop paying their taxes, as you say. Everyone should pay their taxes. The government needs to stop making any more gov jobs, and eliminate many that they have right now. They need to stop spending so much on stupid projects and things that are not detrimental. They need to stop adding more and more programs to the vast number of them that we have already and can't afford, they need to set term limits, they need to stay out of the world of business, they need to allow free enterprise, they need to allow the people to support and better themselves in every area of their lives from their education to their health care. Basically, they need to step back. Enough is enough. With each passing year, America is digging itself in deeper instead of pulling herself out. With every new president comes the blame of the president before him. But I have to say, this new president has been detrimental to our well being financially from day one. Oh, they've all done their share of spending our hard earned money, but Obama has outdid them all. Imagine that you could spend more money than all the past presidents put together, and only in your first 4 months of office. Then turn around and say it's because of the actions of the one who left me this mess. No. We don't buy it. There is never any need to spend more than you have. When a problem comes up and you don't have the funds on hand, the answer is NO. That's what all of us do in our own households. All of us except those that are fully stressed out with credit card debt and feeling the strain of how to pay them off every day of their lives. The drug campaign has a great slogan that this country needs to adopt. "Just say NO."

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All of them except the military and their support. There should be no social funds going to anyone. This country should run on free enterprise. The government shouldn't help or support anyones aspirations or desires. This they should do on their own. No one should be expected to support or pay for anyone else unless they choose to do so through charity.

In the beginning, I lost the most. The 2 weeks before the surgery and then after the surgery for 4-6 weeks or so, I took off 25 lbs. Then it slowed down until I could get some fills in. I had my surgery in Sept last year. I lost 40 lbs by January. Then from Jan. till May, I lost only 10 lbs. in those 4 months. I had 3 fills though. Then a month ago I had my 4th fill and now I am losing again. I've taken off 10 more pounds in one month. So, you see, the fills matter. You will get to a point where your fill is at the right tightness, and then you should steadily lose weight. I've lost 60 lbs. since 9/9/08.

You don't seem to give your children much credit for being insightful. They know who is doing right by them, whether you think so or not. Children see beyond the 'gifts'. If you are loving them and caring for them and providing for them, if you are there for them when they need you and can talk to you about anything, then you will be the one who they will respect and treasure. They'll always love their dad, too. The 'things' they buy and do for them can not satisfy their need for love and discipline. Children need security and stability. Be their 'rock'. If I could give you any advice, it would be to always talk positively about your ex to the children, always tell them to enjoy their time with him when they leave. Even if it bothers you. Never let them see any jealousy you may have. If they tell you that he has said 'bad' things about you, simply tell your children that "daddy doesn't always mean what he says." One day, and it may even be already, your children will 'see' that you were always the respectful, mature, sensible, and righteous parent, and daddy always seemed to be the opposite. It's the character of a person that wins out in the end, not the giftgiving. Divorce can be very difficult for kids, so the less drama they see, the better, IMO.

Off the topic a bit. Remember the $787 "stimulus" that Obama insisted be pork free, though "special appropriations" were OK? Among the many strips of bacon that ended up in the bill was the $1 billion earmark for FutureGen's proposed clean-coal power plant in Illinois. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., listed that project among the 100 most wasteful "stimulus" projects and "the most expensive earmark in history." FutureGen, BTW, was a pet project of a former Democratic senator from Illinois named Barack Obama.

I love to hear about a Father being a good influence in his child's life. You sound like a fantastic dad who wants to spend time with his son and be a good influence for him. God bless you.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I'd like to say Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there! Here's some wisdom from proverbs: "The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him." Proverbs 20:7 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 And for all of you have no dad, it says in 2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Iris, would you mind telling me how to get that tickerfactory you have at the bottom of your posts. I see them alot, but can't figure out where to go to get them. Thanks.

bjean, it's interesting what you wrote here. IMO, there are many churches that do not put all their focus on the funding. Funding is important, and should be talked about sometimes at church. Not every Sunday, mind you, but sometimes it does need to be brought up to the congregants. The last chapter in the book of Malachi chapter 3 speaks of man robbing God by not giving their tithes and offerings to him. He promises that those who do so, he will take care of their needs and bless them. (It doesn't say specifically financial blessings, but just that God will bless you) It is a shame that the priests or ministers at these churches that you spoke of made the 'giving' to their church a top priority, even over their love and service to their congregants. This was unfortunate, and the Father will deal with them for their mistakes at some time, but what they have done doesn't make giving to your church to support it any less not our responsibility as God's children. I'd like to touch on the subject of 'how' some churches spend the money that the congregants give. As the congregant, it is my responsibility before God to do what he says is right. So, I give my tithes and offerings to God. What the board members choose to do with the funds, is now their responsibility before God. Of course, we need to be wise in choosing a church that will be good stewards of the money that they take in. We should check these things out before we begin attending there. If we know that they don't give anything to missionaries, it might be wise to go somewhere else where they do, because it says in the word that we should support those who preach to the lost. If they are spending foolishly, you should probably find a church that is more financially fiscal. About televangelists... I believe that they start out with good intentions when they begin their ministry. They soon become overwhelmed with the flow of financial gain that their ministry brings in. Because they have more than enough money to do many, many things that are worthwhile they feel that there is more than enough to give themselves a lavish lifestyle as well. This is where the sinful flesh of mankind takes hold. Before you know it, the love of money has taken its hold on them. They fall. This is wrong, no doubt. Especially, because they are to be an example to the new believers in Christ. It's a shame, but it's a reality. They are merely human. All eyes are on them, and their sinfulness is noticable to all. Jesus tells us to be obedient to him and let him deal with those who aren't. Don't allow other peoples actions to keep you from having the relationship with God that he wants to have with you. (this wasn't directed specifically for you, bjean, but for everyone who feels that the 'church' is hypocritical.)

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I have read some of the Quaran and have come to the conclusion that Jesus and Allah could not be the same beings. Their personalities and teachings contradict one another IMO.

Fair enough. I pray that all will go well for you. You seem like an extra special person and I hope that someday, the true God who created you, whoever it may be, will reveal himself to you. You will be in my prayers. (even if you don't believe they are going to do any good. :tongue:)lol