Suda

Suda doesn't get it, yet. Once it's solved, I'll go (maybe!).

Suda

Now that's it's "solved", I gets it!

Yeppers, Tom Strange, born a West By God Virginian, at 3 months moved to North Carolina, and at about 26 moved to Tennessee. So now I've been in TN for as long as I was in NC. Gosh, didn't realize that!

Yes, dmiller, 2nd or 3rd, I'd expect! Or maybe even 1st cousins, twice removed.

Suda

The Strange One, ever so clever.

And GSG, ever so perceptive.

Suda (clueless, as usual)

Sara Silvermann

Rent

Taye Diggs

This Tennessee hillbilly doesn't get it either.

Suda

Great pic. GSG!

Suda

Ooops, I had headed to the BBQ before I read and confirmed the correct guess. Glad y'all took up my slack.

Have no idea what the latest is.

War and the Abes?

Suda

Group Picture:

Foreground: Tom Strange.

In chair to left: NotInKansasAnymore’s daughter

Front Row: Fancy, Ex10's sister-in-law, T-Bone

Middle Row: TexasNurse’s friend, TexasNurse, Doojable, Tonto, Crispy, Rich (both of RichnCrispy fame), EyesOpen

Back Row: Ex10's brother, Ex10's Sweetie, NotInKansasAnymore, TexasNurse’s other daughter?, GeorgeStGeorge, Suda, Twinky, Pawtucket, Ex10, Ex10's daughter, Countess, Don’tWorryBeHappy

Corrections welcomed!

Suda

Ah, but it's so much fun to toy with you, Strange One!

Sorta looks like a young Jack Webb from Dragnet fame

A coach yelling

Brewski's, an assortment of light beer, long necked bottles

Suda (mind still fuzzy from late nights at the Q)

Have a few minutes and wanted to respond to some of the previous posts.

Bramble, in response to your post #150, we have a great local food bank here sponsored by MIFA - Memphis InterFaith Association. One of their great ways of fund raising is that whenever you check out from the grocery store, you can “buy” a coupon (think they range from $1, $5, $10, and $20) and pay for it with your grocery purchase. The grocery store then forwards the contributions to the food bank. I donate that way, as well as through the many food drives they have through schools, the post office, and charitable organizations. Sudo’s church is one of the largest participants in the program - it actually has it’s own pantry and daily fills boxes of food for local people in need.

Part of my point was that people do not attend church on Sunday so they can participate in the food bank. This happens daily as a part of their community service which, imo, is fostered by their religious beliefs. Living their beliefs is daily, not restricted to Sunday morning gatherings.

Bramble and Bolshevik, indicated that attending church is often done as a family “activity” (for lack of a better word). After our exit from twi, we agreed it was important to bring up our children in a community of faith, and joining a church became a priority. I was “great with child” and had two toddlers so he did most of the hunting alone, but found a Christian (Disciples of Christ) church that we both agreed would be a good setting. We joined in 1990, and within a year we were both very active there.

I was selected for “The Training of the 12", a 1-year program to train future leaders of the church. Twelve people were selected each year, and the group met weekly with the four ministers for 3 hour sessions. About an hour was presentation/lecture, about 2 hours were discussion. I was “on board” with the 3 associate pastors, but the senior minister and I butted heads, a lot, every week. I was not shy about challenging his viewpoints that struck me as contradicting scripture. At the first meeting, he challenged me to bring back a paper to him outlining my viewpoints, and we could discuss them. Think he came to regret that, as each week I would arrive with multi-paged “term papers” to hand out to all the participants. I was not the “yes man” he had counted on for one of his handpicked 12.

After “graduation”, I chose to work in the nursery area and teach the kindergarten class during the Sunday School hour, and then be with the 1st - 5th graders for Children’s Church while “Big Church” was in session. This was primarily so that I could be near my autistic son who did not respond well to auditory stimuli and became distraught in the midst of a lot of activity. He needed “peace and quiet” which was hard to come by in a nursery setting, but we made it work. My eldest daughter, bless her heart, was somehow dubbed “the kid to pick on” and came to really dislike Sunday School. She told me she had prayed about it, and she wanted to help me out in the nursery, and be able to be close to her brother and keep him comfortable, as well as help with all the children there. She said this way she could serve God and enjoy attending with the family. This was all approved and welcomed by the Nursery staff, and continued until he was in the first grade.

Then all hell broke loose. The 1st-5th graders were to go from their Sunday School class to "Big Church" with their parents for the opening portions, and were dismissed to "Children's Church" prior to the sermon. My son had continued to stay in the kindergarten room with me for Sunday School. I left him under the watchful eye of my daughter during the opening of "Big Church" and would swing by and pick them both up for "Children's Church" as I was leading the other children from the sanctuary to the chapel where "Children's Church" was held. During my absence, they prepared and served the refreshments to all the nursey classes.

RS (the senior minister) decided I was setting dangerous precedents in the Nursery by having my children there now that my son was in first grade. I asked “If he had down syndrome, would it be a problem?” “No, certainly not, we make exceptions for children with special needs.” “Well, my son has special needs, he is autistic, and cannot go to “Big Church” for the opening hymns, announcements, and prayers. The choir is lovely, but much too loud for him. It overstimulates him, physically hurts his ears, and he had a very difficult time regaining his composure after being frightened by the loud noises.” “Well, if he can’t behave properly at church, you, he, and your daughter are no longer welcome at this church.”

So the children and I departed in 1998 and spent several years visiting churches trying to find another one that would meet our family’s needs. It proved unfruitful. The girls ended up going with their friends to different churches, my son and I stayed home and watched a service on TV or on the radio, or had our own worship service, just the two of us. In 2002, I joined a home fellowship comprised of ex-twi folks and folks who had never been affiliated with twi. It is a great fellowship, and it is where I continue worshiping today. He did not like that setting, either. As he attends a Christian school, he has daily Bible classes and Chapel at least once a week, and decided that was enough “Sunday School and Church” for him.

So what began as a “family affair” ended almost 10 years ago when I was asked to leave the church. Interesting that just last month the minister that “kicked” me out, was forced to resign due to his ill behavior and twisting of the scripture - the same things I got in trouble for confronting him on during my last 6 years attending there, which, ultimately, ended in my dismissal from the congregation.

By 2002, my husband was very vocal about his atheism at home and with his staff at work, but continues to attend church routinely. This behavior is still confusing to me.

Sirguessalot, as always, your posts are thought provoking and appreciated.

Oakspear, you are so good at clarifying issues. I would appreciate your input on the "reality of Jesus Christ = the reality of Santa Claus" equation.

Suda

Praying.

Suda

simonzelotes,

Hope your birthday was extra happy!

If I've learned one thing, it's that birthdays are good for you.

The more of them you have, the longer you live! Happy Birthday!

However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. Ecclesiastes 11:8

Suda

At age 7, won the title of Miss Wildwood Lane (the street I grew up on) by singing that song! The judges were so impressed that I could say it backwards. Docious-ali-expi-icious-fraga-cali-rupus! (spelling errors are probable!) Wonder if they'll take my crown away now that I sport purple hair?

Suda

Thankful,

Welcome to the Cafe. Here's some cheesecake topped with fruit. Hope it's as good as the one NiKa brought to the BBQ.

Kick your shoes off, relax, and enjoy reading. We're all ears for any of your questions, comments, or concerns.

Enjoy!

Suda

I'm home, happy and sad. Happy to be with my family, and sad to have left all my friends behind in Texas. What a fabulous weekend! It could not have been better - well, unless more of our fellow greasespotters could have joined us.

Many thanks again for the Ex10 family sharing their home and hospitality with us!

Suda

George, your son is in my thoughts and prayers.

Suda

I'll be at the airport in less than 12 hours. Woo Hoo! The Q is almost here.

Suda

Sorry. When I'm tardy like this, anyone should feel free to jump in and take my place.

Now for a movie, ummmmmmmmmm . . .

4 pictures. Hope it's not a repeat!

Suda

Mssing you and praying for you often.

Suda

Glad you are all safe.

Suda

Have a grand day. Here's some cute critters to help you celebrate. (You'll probably see enough ghosts and goblins without my help!)

When it comes to getting older, we're all in the same boat! Happy Birthday

Happy Day!

Suda

Jeaniam,

Joy and blessings to you on your birthday!

Shepherd of my heart, lead me to pastures of peace and plenty, that I might be refreshed and strengthened for this journey of life. Grant me the wisdom to follow as You lead me beside still waters of grace and goodness. Fill my heart with a yearning to live abundantly and joyously through You, with You and in You. Amen.

Have a wonderful birthday. Don't let the ghosts and goblins get you! (Just give them some candy and they'll probably go away).

Suda

Happy Birthday! To celebrate, why not swig down some hard liquor versus wine or beer? Here's a card to cheer you on in that direction!

Got Lime?

Celebrate like the cold-blooded party animal you are! Happy Birthday!

May your birthday be as fun as a day in Margaritaville!

Suda

I'm praying, also.

Suda