Shifra

Thank you. I just got home from another birth. This one is a sweet little boy, born way out in the country. God has surely blessed me with this work.

Roses, I don't believe in the Trinity either. For a long time, I couldn't go to church simply because ANY organized religious meeting reminded me of TWI. About a year ago, I attended a service out of respect for a family who had invited me to their baby's "dedication". I was impressed and have gone back many times. This church believes in the Trinity. But rarely do I hear anyone praying to Jesus, and never have I heard any discussion about Jesus being God. This church is very community oriented, which I believe is true Christianity. Doctrinal debates just don't happen there. Instead, the focus is on helping each other, and as a result people get to see God's love. Examples of their work: -They staff an ambulance that runs three nights a week, providing blankets, water, and referrals to shelters and other resources for the homeless. These are not EMT's, just church people. They pray with these folks. They don't "confront with the Word". Their license plate says "Luke 911". -This summer they volunteered crews and materials to re-build the fences that were burned out in last summer's wildfires that damaged a lot of pasture land around here. The ranchers were as out-of-touch with God as the homeless people were. More prayer. Not mall witnessing. -They sent workers to clean up an ignored old cemetary in our city, repairing broken tombstones and re-seeding the grounds. -They held a BBQ at a large trailer court which is home for many low-income people. After the residents shared in the cooking and eating, they joined the volunteers in building a new playground for the children who live there. Prior to this the kids only playground was the street. -They run AA and NA meetings, support groups for the bereaved, for the divorced, for single mothers of young children, etc. You get the picture. This is REAL Christianity, which doesn't leave much opportunity for arguing over doctrine. When I'm there on Sunday mornings, it doesn't bother me anymore, if a Trinity comment comes up. I don't have to believe it, and I'm still accepted there. I hope you can find a church like this.

Roses, I like what WordWolf said about the catch-phrase. "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" may be an obscure little saying, but I think we need to consider our own familiarity with this cliche. Where did you hear it? Who do you think of when you hear it now? Why do you think it was effective in grabbing all of OUR attention? The catch-phrase ITSELF is evidence of the residue left over in all of our heads. This is significant because if a stupid little saying like this is stuck in my head, then what else is in there? All sorts of subtle, continuous, seemingly benign stuff. I think what you're asking is "Should I hang on to the good things I learned from the Way Ministry". Maybe you could just look at it as hanging on to good things you learned ... from living. But do keep in mind that this is/was a cult, and we were all programmed to varying degrees of a TWI mindset, including the corny cliches and the auto-pilot habits that were dictated by the cult leaders. It's great that you are re-evaluating. I personally am an advocate of allowing an objective outsider to assist with recovery, as well as seeking support from those who have "been there done that", like you are doing here on GreaseSpot. A decent therapist will be best equipped to identify whether or not your baby has swallowed the bathwater.

Ex- Your piggy picture looks like he's about ready to sneeze ... so ... BLESS YOU !!

AnotherDan, Your "fear" is unfounded. Jesus would not say that to you. It is evident by the photo you posted of your beautiful family ... that your "purpose" in this world has included some wonderful successes. How could this distance you from God? I mean ... none of us achieve all of the stuff we could, we all mess up, and religion of whatever kind SUCKS, but I'd say you've done pretty well livng the way God wants. You will be welcomed by Jesus. Of course, once you get past Jesus, God might just freak you out, and restore you as an octopus or something.

This thread sounds like the daily discussion in my waiting room. In the USA and most of the western world, the blessings and lessons of a wholesome birth experience has been robbed from women. I truly believe that if we could give birth in the way God intended, our entire value on life, and confidence in ourselves as females, and sense of "family", would change the path of the world. We midwives have a saying - "A peaceful Earth begins with Birth". Am I too dramatic here? Well, this is what I do for a living. I've been delivering babies for 25 years ... in a different way than the OB-IV-mechanized-medicated-Csectioned-alienated method which rules modern maternity. Yesterday, for example, there was a baby girl born at my little house. She still has no name because she is the fourth daughter for this family, and they are "plum out of names" (as the dad put it). I have attended the births of their other three girls as well, all of whom were present when this one entered the world yesterday. Mostly my clients have their babies in their own homes, but this family drove to my place in Montana, from Wyoming where midwives are illegal. The whole family arrived with pillows and food and baby clothes and diapers, hoping for a boy of course, but grateful for whatever God would give them. One of my helpers made lasagna and salad for them, as the kids watched TV, and the parents set up their birthing room with flowers and music and a bright colored quilt. A good dinner during labor is so much nicer than an IV in your arm. The laboring mom washed the dishes, while the dad read a bedtime story to the three girls and tucked them into sleeping bags spread out on the floor. Baby's vitals were good as the contractions got stronger. The mom knew I would not do a vaginal exam until she asked for one. A few hours later, with broken water and some pretty powerful pains, she finally said "check me". Dilation was ten centimeters. She was sitting on the bed. Her husband sat behind her, leaning on the head of the bed, with his knees up on both sides of her, so she could brace herself to push. Soon we saw a little bit of the baby's head, beautiful dark hair. The dad asked me to pray (He knew from experience that I do this just before each baby comes out). I prayed for a wiggle-y pink baby, and for the mother's strength. At the word, "Amen", the mom began to cry, and then gave one more push. The infant presented with one little hand pressed over an ear, as though she were greeting us all with a wave of "hello". Everything was quiet except for some soft music and the squeal of the 4-year-old "big" sister who stood by the bed. My apprentice said "Welcome, baby", and I said "God bless you, child". The dad said, "It's another pretty girl", and then he cut the cord. We wrapped the baby, and gave her to the oldest sister (age 6) to hold while the mom squatted on the floor to expel the placenta. The 2-year-old watched wide-eyed, and asked, "Is there another baby, mommy?" We all laughed, and then the whole family snuggled up on the bed, under their own quilt, to make phone calls to the grandparents. This mom believes fully in herself as a strong woman and a good mother. This dad honors his wife's power, and cherishes his four home-born daughters. These girls are not afraid of their own female bodies, and they see childbirth as a fun day like Christmas when a woman works really hard and then everyone gets a gift in the end. Fear is not a part of this. It's all about LIFE. Who took this joy away from American women? Take a guess. Religion. Christianity. Remember the witch trials? Those were the midwives. They were said to be "of the devil". When I was in TWI, I sensed this same judgment on myself from the leaders there. Now, please understand, I am not a man-hater or a political feminist. But I believe that the religious (male) leaders a couple of centuries ago realized the power and honor held by the midwives, and were compelled to destroy it. Birth is almost synonymous with the word, "miracle". Power in birthing is undeniable. That's about the time in history when men pirated the role of the midwives, and soon the laboring women were removed from their homes, and sent to hospitals, where males - who will never experience birth themselves - took over. But they didn't get it, they couldn't comprehend the resulting satisfaction and self esteem that women end up with, once they've birthed a baby. So they drugged us and cut us and infected us, and destroyed the God-given life's-passage, which is childbirth. Today one out of every three babies in our country is "born" by surgery, because "we can't do it by ourselves - poor us". And who gets the glory? Not God. Not the mother. Birth belongs at home. To go to the hospital for birth is like to go to the hospital for love-making. It is NOT medical. It is NOT technical. It is passion and spirit and awesome and holy. I'm sorry that so many of us have been ripped off and fooled. This is a big deal to me. I've pretty much given my life to this purpose. Thanks, Catcup, for an opportunity to speak my peace. And for some nice photos, you can check out my website: www.mountainmidwives.com

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Thanks!

That's awesome, guys. Just doubting a little further the "apostleship" of Paul. Wondering about how he maybe minimized the Christian lifestyle by suggesting that a couple of verses would do the trick, lifestyle or no. When I thought about this shortcut to heaven, it reminded me of when I was a little girl, and I watched the "Peter Pan" movie. When Peter was teaching Wendy and her brothers how to fly, he said, "Just think good thoughts, add a little Pixie Dust, and jump!" After my family got home from the theatre, we all went to bed, thinking about the movie. Late that night, I got up, sneaked into the bathroom, put the lid down on the toilet, climbed up and stood on it, thought good thoughts ... and jumped. When I hit the floor, I woke up everyone else in the family, who all came running and laughed and laughed! My big brother told me the problem - no Pixie Dust.

After a little retreat from this topic, I've had another thought pop up, in part prompted by AnotherDan's "survey" thread. What about this? Do you really think the ticket to eternal life is as simple as Romans 10:9-10? Not only the Way, but a whole lot of evangelical groups take great pride keeping tally of how many people they have "saved", based on their "confession" of these two verses Paul wrote. But then there's the Nicodemus story about getting born again, starring none other than JC himself - part of AnotherDan's survey. So ... whichi is it? Paul's route is easier. Could this be another con to divert believers who were actually doing their best to follow Jesus? Was Paul giving them a false shortcut with these two verses? Jesus asks us to be born again, which involves a major switch in our thinking. Shoot, several of us are seeing therapists to switch our old TWI thinking. Getting born again is way bigger than dumping Waybrain. I don't know. Too much thinking for this lady. Faith, works, Paul, Jesus, PFAL, Prevailing Word in the Promised Land. Give me some chocolate ... now.

Huh? I think you just said I speak with a forked tongue. I'm sure it seems that way. Sorry.

Hi Larry To me, Ephesians 4:29 is saying ... be nice. It's like this: When you put people down, they won't listen to you anymore, about God, or about anything. If you build them up (edify them), then they are more likely to consider your position. The "grace" part of this has to do with God's grace, which is to say that God accepts us the way we are. To minister grace by edification is to act like God and accept everybody. Find their good parts ... and then say so ... to them. It's a nice way to be. But now you've got them eating out of your hand. Ministering grace can also be used to manipulate people. Phony edification can be just as powerful and also indicates your acceptance of another person, even though it's all an act. Sorry, I'm thinking of the author of Ephesians. OK, now back to the topic ... In the "Message" bible, the verse ends with this phrase: "Each word is a gift". I like that.

Adam and Eve are historical figures, who lived 5000 - 7000 years ago. T/F/U U Jesus of Nazareth uniquely represented the Creator as His Son. T/F/U T (one of His Sons) The risen Jesus Christ is my Lord. T/F/U T ... but mostly because he’s the “Lord” I know best. The Book of Job is allegorical. That is, it attempts to explain human suffering using fictional characters. T/F/U U The disciple John, one of "the twelve", wrote 5 Books: John, 1John, 2John, 3John, and Revelation. T/F/U T Paul wrote Hebrews. T/F/U T Moses wrote Genesis. T/F/U T ... and I think Moses learned about the Tree of Life from the midwives who delivered him. Long story. David wrote the 23rd Psalm. T/F/U T Paul's doctrine of "by faith alone" contradicts James' doctrine, as recorded in the Book of James. T/F/U F - Paul taught “faith alone” and in the same breath dictated endless rules and regs. James did the same thing. Both were very religious. Four were crucified with Jesus. T/F/U Who cares. I speak in tongues in my private prayer life. T/F/U T ... but not on purpose. It’s just a leftover habit, auto-pilot, probably harmless, but not necessary. God loves homosexuals. T/F/U T - God loves all of us. Homosexuality is not a sin. T/F/U U ... but I don’t need the answer to this question, because I am heterosexual. If I had the answer, its only purpose in my life would be to categorize others. God does not hate. T/F/U T 1 Cor. 12 says that all nine "manifestations" of the spirit are the privilege of everyone who has been "born again" by confessing Jesus as their lord, and believing God raised him from the dead. (When combined with Romans 10:9 and other scriptures.) T/F/U T ... but manifestations of the spirit are available to others as well. The prayer of a believer can move God to do something He would not otherwise have done. T/F/U F Mormonism, Catholicism, and JW’s are perversions of Christianity. T/F/U F - ALL religions are perversions of Christianity. We can’t help it. Some of Jesus’ teaching is impossible to carry out. T/F/U F "Sin consciousness" is not in the believer’s self-interest. T/F/U T - This is/was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil The canon is closed. Another authentic letter of Paul will never surface. T/F/U U There are authentic apostles and prophets of God living and ministering today. T/F/U T Requiring narrative answers (short or long): When Jesus told Nicodemus that he "must be born again," what did he mean? He was telling Nicodemus to start from scratch. When a baby takes his first breath, there’s a flap that closes within the circulatory system, and causes the blood to flow in the opposite direction that it was flowing prior to birth. Talk about a “change of heart”!!! Erasing all the junk and beginning again in purity and without prejudices or bias - learning everything as though we knew nothing: this is being Born Again. What are your thoughts on the Fourth commandment (not to work on the sabbath)? Very very important. The specific day may not matter, but the rhythm of seven days is a minimum for restorative health - mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our “Christian” work ethic has over-ridden this essential tradition.

Another Dan ... This deserves more time than I have right now. Hopefully, I will get back to it soon. I love Roy's answers. Just proves that he really is a holy man. As an RN, I am supposed to document all the "measurable" things about my clients: centimeters and minutes and pounds and respirations. But how do you measure ... birth? How do you quantify spirit? Still, for certain purposes, measurements are essential. It's a fascinating survey, especially in light of our varying degrees of recovery from Way Brain. More later.

Good mornin' ! Abigail, your picture shows a sweet little girl, but when I read your posts, I imagine you as a very wise old woman. Please take this as the ultimate compliment from me. I have been with the Crow Indians long enough to pick up how they treasure the wisdom of the old ones. So much to learn. Another Dan, go to page 9 of this thread and scroll down to the 4th post. It's from Invisible Dan, and it gives the site for the article about Nero. And yes, I think you've got the gist of my "theory". Good question ... about whether I believe the Gospels are for real. Yep. No problem there. I'm sure we don't quite understand all of it, but to me the Gospels offer hope for freedom and a clearer sense of how much God values us (so in turn, how much we are actually worth!) Paul, however, lays down the law while simultaneously telling us we're free. He's confusing, and scary and his teachings are ripe for controversy - which I think was his whole purpose - while the teachings of Jesus are simple and clear. Also, Jesus never makes himself out to be the big shot, but Paul is boastful. Where's DrWW and Eeyore?

Welcome to our sharing, "Another Dan". This discussion is a good one, because we are gaining insights as well as fine friends. I must say I feel a bit inferior among such folks as you guys. But every once in awhile, I have to sit up a little straighter and smile ... like when one of you tells me that Thomas Jefferson was skeptical of Paul too. Anyhow, "Another Dan", I googled N.T. Wright, as you suggested, and really couldn't grasp what he was saying. Way too intellectual for me. Maybe you could translate? And "Invisible Dan", I also read the article you suggested about Paul's suspected connections with Nero, who of course was a bad guy who hated and hurt a lot of Christians. The speculation in this article is that Paul's connections with Nero occurred AFTER the events in Acts, as well as BEFORE Paul's zap on the road to Damascus. It sorta matches my proposed scenario that Paul was sent on a mission to destroy, and sent by some anti-Christian agency. It sounds like he was "reporting back" when his mission was accomplished. I clipped a piece of this article. Check it out: ------------------------------------------------------------ The Book of Acts ends with Paul awaiting trial in Rome. Prior to this he had been arrested and detained at Jerusalem (circa 61-62 A.D.) for causing a riot and then appealing to Caesar in his defense. For two years after this (circa 62-63 A.D.), we are told that Paul lived under a nominal house arrest and continued to evangelize boldly. We are not told what happened to Paul at the end of those two years. Nor does the Book of Acts give the slightest premonition of the horrors that so shortly were to come upon Christians in Rome and throughout the empire. One is rather left with the impression that the greatest trials of the new faith were past. According to Josephus however, the most controversial acts of Saul/Paul and those in league with him came not before but after his coveted audience with Nero. For Robert Eisenman, this not only casts a shadow on the finale of Acts but over the entire work. From Josephus it appears the author of Acts knew that the disposition of Paul’s hearing was just as Paul expected, favorable. Acts could have ended on this particularly high note, but instead leads the quasi-informed reader to assume that Paul in communion with other persecuted Christians was a victim of Nero in 64 A.D. On the other hand, beginning in 63 A.D., Josephus makes Saul the valet of Nero at Jerusalem, and again in 66 A.D. when the Jewish Revolt breaks out. The shocking presence of Paul at the epicenter of that unfolding trauma, very much still alive and kicking at the pricks, naturally places his life and mission in a far more bedazzling light. In response, the New Testament is blinded and cannot speak. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ... So how come he refers to this as "bedazzling"? To me, it sounds like Paul was in cahoots with Nero. Did I get that right?

Cool, Sunesis! What's the name of the book? And about that "magic" ... well, first of all "magic" is sorta a bad word for TWI people, but I don't speak that language anymore. If that specific word offends you, please know that I mean no offense, but also that I am no longer bound and gagged by the Way Ministry. Nowadays, I use the words that fit - for me. I personally don't think of "magic" as being something dark, but rather something unexplainably delightful. You ask about the other magical events in the Bible, and yes, I believe those things happened ... or something similar. Heck, I've seen God's magic myself, haven't you? I'm just suggesting that Paul might have faked it. Paul knew about the many supernatural occurences that were associated with Jesus and his disciples, so could it be that he just staged one himself? Any of us who spent any time with TWI certainly saw some fake revelations and "healings", as well as the real thing. This is nothing new. I really appreciate all of the input here, and I ask that you come with me to a place outside of the limitations we have all been taught. I believe we can honor the scripture even more fully if/when we think of all the possibilities. Please understand I am NOT against the Bible.

Lunch hour again, so I'm checking in to see how this discussion is moving along. Wow! Such fascinating people on this thread! WW ... It's important to me to say this, especially to you today: I am a Christian. I am not a Christian who excludes other religions, meaning that I love learning about many beliefs and SIFTING through them to keep for myself the parts that I like ... and meaning too that I don't believe Christianity is the ONLY way to goodness or to etenrnal life or to receiving love from God. I am a Christian, but different than you, and that's OK. But I am a Christian. I really love Jesus, and the stuff he taught. I am absolutely certain that TWI screwed up a lot of his teachings, and I am still trying to understand them in a more pure way. I also am certain that TWI practiced and pushed "Paul-ism", building much more of their doctrine around the Epistles than the Gospels. Paul had an alliance with Barnabus. I am scrutinizing Paul's trek - I am doing this in DEFENSE OF Jesus - and so it only makes sense to scrutinize Barnabus too. When I read about the "Gospel of Barnabus", and its connections to Islam ... ... It STRENGTHENED my developing theory that Barnabus (and his pal, Paul) might have been ENEMIES of Jesus, undercover "plants" with a mission to mess things up. I am definitely NOT suggesting that Barnabus' writings were correct. Just the opposite ! I hope this makes things more clear.

I haven't read this whole thread, so I may be repeating something here, but I just wanted to say that Jesus taught us to pray like this: 1. Words of honor to our Father 2. Acknowledgment of "Thy will be done" 3. Statement of essential needs: food, forgiveness, guidance 4. More words of honor Pretty simple. And that second piece of the Lord's Prayer reflects exactly what Java just wrote about. Please note: no red drapes.

Oooooohhhh !!!! You gotta read this !!!! On page 8 of this thread, Dan suggests that we look at an article about the Gospel of Barnabus. Here's an excerpt: According to one version of the Gospel of Barnabas, Jesus denied being the Messiah, claiming rather that the Messiah would be Ishmaelite (ie Arab): "Whereupon Jesus said: 'Ye deceive yourselves; for David in spirit calleth him lord, saying thus: "God said to my lord, sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool. God shall send forth thy rod which shall have lordship in the midst of thine enemies." If the messenger of God whom ye call Messiah were son of David, how should David call him lord? Believe me, for verily I say to you, that the promise was made in Ishmael, not in Isaac.'" (Barnabas 43:10) Hajj Sayed (Senior Member in CIMS), in his new book in Egypt, compares this to the following statement from the canonical Bible: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" Matthew 22:42-46 According to the canonical Gospels, Jesus was the "son" (descendant) of David; thus, Hajj Sayed argues that this statement confirms the Gospel of Barnabas' point. The idea of the Messiah as an Arab is also found in another chapter of Gospel of Barnabas: "If I work iniquity, reprove me, and God will love you, because you shall be doing his will, but if none can reprove me of sin it is a sign that you are not sons of Abraham as you call yourselves, nor are you incorporate with that head wherein Abraham was incorporate. As God lives, so greatly did Abraham love God, that he not only brake in pieces the false idols and forsook his father and mother, but was willing to slay his own son in obedience to God. The high priest answered: "This I ask of you, and I do not seek to slay you, wherefore tell us: Who was this son of Abraham?" Jesus answered: "The zeal of your honour, O God, inflames me, and I cannot hold my peace. Truly I say, the son of Abraham was Ishmael, from whom must be descended the Messiah promised to Abraham, that in him should all the tribes of the earth be blessed." Then was the high priest wroth, hearing this, and cried out: "Let us stone this impious fellow, for he is an Ishmaelite, and has spoken blasphemy against Moses and against the Law of God." (Barnabas 208:1-2) Here, one version of the Gospel of Barnabas also quotes Jesus as saying that the sacrificed son of Abraham was Ishmael not Isaac, conforming to Islamic belief but disagreeing with Jewish and Christian belief. A connection might also be drawn between the last paragraph's statement that "in him should all the tribes of the earth be blessed", and the meaning of the name "Muhammad", the "Praised (or Blessed) One". (Cf.Life of Prophet Muhammad). Whoa ... maybe Paul's old buddy, Barnabus, wasn't just a spy; maybe he was an Islamic spy! The plot thickens.

Interesting idea, Dan. I'll call my mom today, and see if she knows where it is. You guys are so awesome.

Excathedra, What I remember about my dad's book is that it was typed on our old typewriter and bound at some bookstore, so it looked like a real publication, but it was never published. I remember him working on it late at night after he had helped me with my algebra, and the rest of the family had gone off to bed. He was so proud of it. I struggled to read the whole thing, because it was so boring, but I did finish it, and told my dad it was wonderful, only because I loved him so much. Truth was even as a kid who had grown up in Sunday School, I never much liked old Paul, so I didn't like the book much either. I think my mom still has it somewhere.

Watered Garden, Do you remember when the rules evolved into this - if you found that someone had not checked their name (that they had flossed), then you were supposed to wake up that person and THEY had to do your Bless Patrol shift for you? This was about the time that all the "confrontation" exhortations were popular. Personally, I never had the heart to wake someone up and require them to do my shift for me. But a lot of Corps actually did this. It always seemed to me that BLESS Patrol should find a way to BLESS our Corps brothers and sisters, so I started using my BP shifts to pick up whatever lost items I found as I did rounds. Of course everyone had our names written on every single item we owned, so it was easy to match the item with the owner. I would hang a lost jacket on its owner's doorknob, or stack a kid's missing school book just outside his door. We had a little chest to put lost-and-found things into at the Indiana Campus, so I also kept myself from boredom on BP shifts, sorting through the stuff in this chest, and delivering these to their rightful owners too. Heck, it made the night a little more interesting, and it was fun to watch their faces in the morning when they'd discover their long-lost belongings as they opened their doors. Of course, the Spirit of Returned Items was eventually discerned and cast out of me. (But not before I had "contaminated" several others with the same mode of night-time entertainment). The world now calls such things "Random Acts of Kindness". God forbid that Bless Patrol might actually bless anybody.

Larry, Sorry for calling you "Eeyore". Eeyore is a cute little donkey who acts like a grump most of the time, but Christopher Robin and Pooh and the rest of the gang all love him anyhow. TheEvan, You're right about other "blinding" events. Thanks for that input. And WW (or who-ever it was) that said I was probably just echo-ing something I'd read ... nope. 'Haven't read this Conspiracy Theory anywhere else, but I'm flattered and encouraged that someone else has considered it too. Actually, the only book besides the Bible that I have read about Paul, is a book that my dad wrote. My dad thought Paul was the best. My dad was an electrical engineer, a Purdue graduate, who mostly thought in black-and-whte. He liked Paul's inflexible explanations of things, he liked the rules and regs, even though he was a Christian man, a very good man too. Abigail, You are amazing! Dan, I'll read the artical about Barnabus after work tonight. I'm on my lunchbreak now, and running out of time. Thanks for the link. Now, could someone please explain why John Mark departed from Paul and Barnabas, and why that came up later in Acts as well? What was John Mark's complaint? Could it be that he was the good guy?

Let's move on a little bit, OK? What do you think about this section? Barnabus - or Joses, as was his original name - first shows up in Acts 4:36, where he befriends the apostles by contributing money. I don't see any indication that he did anything else. What if he simply caught them at a time when the bills were due? Of course they'd be happy with that, or one might say they'd be "consoled". It was then that they gave him a new name, Barnabus, which means "son of consolation"). Still, there is no mention of any other particular skills or abilities. Sorta makes ya wonder if he was an infiltrator too, possibly funded by some larger entity. His subsequent partnership with Paul is interesting too, because it was Barnabus who convinced several suspicious disciples to accept Paul. Paul entered the picture via a spectacular magic trick on the road to Damascus, while Barnabus just bought his way in. I'm open to correction here. Did I miss something about the initial appearance of Barnabus? Then in Acts 13:6-13, there's this spooky story where our two spies encounter a sorcerer, who apparently was interfering with their witnessing to Sergius Paulus, the deputy of that country. Interesting that they were witnessing to this political leader. But here's the funky part: Paul basically puts a curse on this sorcerer. And guess what the curse is! Temporary blindness! Sound familiar? Did Paul know some ancient alchemy that was capable of causing this? Is this what he used on himself? It's amusing to compare this possibility with the sophisticated poisons and pranks that contemporary intelligence agents use now. Like that Russian agent who was recently poisoned in England. For someone who preached that we should imitate Christ, this stunt seems a bit contrary. Jesus healed folks, but Paul's first "miracle" was to blind a man. And how convenient that he would put on this display of power, with none other than the deputy of the country as his audience. It was right after this incident that the apostle John Mark decided to split. I don't think we can overlook the timing of John Mark's departure. Whether he wished to disassociate himself from such an abusive person as Paul, or if he just got nervous that he himself might be the next victim of Paul's blinding techniques, it is evident that John Mark was not comfortable with what happened there in Paphos. Later, in Acts 15:38, Barnabus and Paul have an argument about John Mark, which results in them separating from each other, because Paul still held a grudge against JM for his quick exit after the blinded-sorcerer incident. Aw yes, unconditional love at its best. Charity. Agape for sure.

Roy, You may be a "Roy-lite", as you say. But I think of you and your writings as "ROY LIGHT". Keep shining, my friend !!!