anotherDan

thanks, butnowIsee, I hadn't thought of that. It didn't work for me, either

As a bonafide newbie, my own journey here so far has been a surprising one. I expected to find some good folks, but I really had no idea. Like TB (my mentor) says, my doctrine is all messed up. I have quite a few loose ends, so take what I say with as much salt as you like. I believe the body of Christ is a living reality. There is a "visible church" and a "functioning church," and they sometimes overlap. The people on my "list" were those who occured to me at the moment as "elders." As I said, there are others; I was just making a point about the list Dot put me in. And I'm mindful of the "members of the body" that don't seem so "comely." God has tempered the body together, giving more honor to that part which lacked. I hear from the Lord through my grandchildren, and through them, He ministers to me. I have particular regard for the people I listed, and I think the scriptures say we are to render honor to whom honor is due. These are the kind of people with whom I can "be subject to" in the sense of "submit yourselves one to another" because I recognise something about them that reminds me of Christ. My theory is that this is because they are subject to him. George may not say so in so many words, would be my guess, and I'm glad that doesn't get in the way of my appreciation of his honesty. I respect Rascal, and I think her often-expressed outrage is entirely appropriate and in accord with God's own outrage at those who take advantage of God's "little ones." We don't connect much because I personally am not dealing with those issues that are along those lines, but she has helped me to weep properly for those who are. That said, the inclusion or exclusion from my example "list" should not be taken too literally. My desire is to be subject to Christ where ever I find him, and he does surprise me from time to time.

Notawayfer. Ah yes. "create" how about "sincerety"? There are also a whole host of theological and biblical terms that have for me lost their Wayferness: born again justified eternal life Jesus Christ Christ in "you" power from on high the promise of the Father rightly-dividing private interpretation "the Word" apostles, prophets, gifts, spiritual soul "no condemnation" "saved from wrath" faith suffer angel sons of God righteousness sin repentence (on and on) and ideas represented by these and other Wayferly words: "not addressed to us" "the integrity of the Word"

Good stuff, sunesis and WW. Thanks

You guys are freakin' me out. You're getting very close to what God knows!

Good question, Wrds. Ultimately, I think both just came from God. If the Lord Jesus washed his disciples' feet, we ought to wash one another's feet... not with the cold water of judgment and of offense, but of the warmth and care and understanding the Lord Jesus himself has shown toward us

cman, another great post. I'm glad to be getting to know you better!

I have to confess, I don't understand the categories. I'd have to choose "other" if there was such a button, but that would be no help for statistical purposes. I can provide a narrative answer in my own words, and then if you would be so kind as to translate, squirrel, what category I should be in, I will duly vote, trusting in your rodential wisdom. There is no going back. I miss a lot of things, and I depise and am ashamed of a lot of things. I am today a passionate, non-religious Christian, or I'm trying to be. That's my best guess so far as to what Jesus would have me to be. I may quit theological thinkering altogether, and plant a garden or something. Maybe adopt an unwanted 12 year old. Maybe I'll buy an old boat and sail over to Greece for a few years... visit the Isle of Patmos, I will, and eat gyros and dance with no shoes on. Go back? Naw. But I would like to have a REAL cup of coffee with debbieb, and reminisce and laugh about a year with her that was a gift to me. But then we'd catch up and look forward.

You were making a point about "groupthink." OK. You can't say that I've ever put you in a "groupthink" box. So your argument on that subject is with someone else. I haven't had any comment on groupthink other than that "ye may be able to comprehend with all saints..." is the kind of groupthink I subscribe to, which of course is meant to be a lighthearted take on it the idea. The list of people you put me with in your example is so far off base, I'm quite sure you don't know me. Check out my exchanges with Mike, if you care. My byline is "TBone's protege" for goodness sake. But at the moment you were agreeing with TB. Going back to Abi, I really do hope she finds a church family outside of GS. I can't imagine how difficult it would be if this place was my "main" fellowship. It's absolutely bizarre that someone like her could be treated like she has been. She ought to be adored and treasured. I know she would be if she lived around here. But she's tough. She's had to be. She went through TWI2. Great training. I've found great friends here, and stimulating discussion. I've changed a lot since I've been here, which is a very short time. I realized that some of the first impressions I had of certain people were very incomplete, and have grown close to some with whom I had traded some pretty in-your-face words. My guess is that there is a lot more to Larry than meets the eye. I know that's true of you, too, Dot.

That's quite a group you've put me in, there, Dot. From my point of view, I'd say that AnotherDan is willing and ready to learn from anyone, and to love anyone, but the ones I look up to most around here include TBone, Wrdsandwrks, Abi, George Aar, Socks, ButNowISee, Another Spot, Pawtucket, JohnJ, and debbieb. And others. Every one of the people with whom you associated me, I have considerable differences with... That doesn't mean I can't learn from any of them, nor appreciate them. I do. I also appreciate you and Larry, though I may disagree with either the substance or style of your posts. Anyone who would select those people as representative of what I'm about, simply hasn't been paying attention. That's fine with me. If on nothing else, I am the authority on who I feel represents the heart and thinking that most closely aligns with my own heart and mind, and you simply do not "get" me. It hurt my heart to read your post, but it's good that I know how misunderstood I can be. It will help me to make sense of others' insensitve comments. Larry screwed up pretty badly on this thread. I think TBone pretty well documented that. He wasn't banned, but my guess is that he was warned -- how ever that works around here. A little dose of reality isn't bad for anyone. As you know, I sent you a PM which had much the same substance as my present post. You didn't even give me the courtesy of a reply. Or do you have me blocked? Yes, Dot, you have a right to say things as you see it. Say away. It's a free cafe.

I think you make a good point, squirrel, and don't want to diminish it. But I think I've witnessed quite a number of situations where inspired utterance did produce just such an effect. Quite a number of times, it wasn't during what we called "manifestations," but it did once in a while.

Keith... brilliant observation about Adam and Eve. To be fair, I would have to say that from 74 - 89, I rarely heard such a blunder. I would say the vast majority of us knew better than that. I've dropped nearly all of the Way lingo from my conversation. Advance (meaning a secluded event for the purposes of reflection and edification) Opportunity (meaning "problem") Hope (as a term reserved for certain strict guidelines built around someone else's peculiar theological paradigm) Lifeline (for deadline) abundant sharing (oh, brother!) there are others... can't think of them at the moment I do retain "blessed" but use it more sparingly, and more meaningfully. Very useful and meaningful word. Glad I picked that one up. Belle, I thought you handled the other side of the coin very neatly. Same coin, of course. Special "insider" lingo... we spoke so ACCURATELY, yaknow.

I love you, Abs. I pray that you and Sush are refreshed today. Thanks for all you are; you are precious! edit: PS to the GS family. I've gotten to know Abi pretty well. We email one another a lot. I don't think I'm revealing secrets to tell you that at times she is sick of heart over some of the things that are said here. It should be pretty evident to anyone who reads her posts. For now, at least, this is Abi's church family. Her byline is "wandering Jew;" she is that, but she is more than that. She is a true child of the living God, just like you, Dot, just like Larry. It's a hard fact that some people simply cannot see another person's heart, though it's laid out right before them. In some cases, ISTM, it's because their own pain is so great that they don't have the "margin" to spare for another who is right beside them. I've been encouraging her to find another church home, but she's neither Jew nor Christian. She does fit in here, where anything goes, and she has stayed even though sometimes it really really hurts. That may be a part of why she feels badly for Larry. She understands.

here's a twenty-first-century version, recorded with true bathroom reverb. I loved it!

Tonto, another one for you. It's not Bob, but it might speak to your Jones I just found this one. I don't know if you like James. It's not one of his biggest hits, but it's one of my favorites. He later recorded it, of course, with Joni Mitchell singing backup, and it was magic. This is just after he wrote it. Long Ago and Far Away Hope you like it.

cman, what a wonderful thing to say. It was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. pick your medicine: they're all saying the same thing.... "groupthink," I guess

You're not old, Socks. No, you're in your prime. God bless you and your family. from me and mine

That's quite a "stretch," Socks!

Tonto, dear, thank you for the love you've shown to me. My "groupthink" bible verses: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Eph 3:16-19 AV)

It's not a hard and fast rule that a soft answer will always turn away wrath. ("The law of soft answers... works for saint and sinner alike!") But training our heart to face even a bully with a soft answer is not a bad idea. "do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"?

One testimony: http://www.everystudent.com/wires/abdul.html and here's a Christian Today article (not Christianity Today) visions of Jesus:

oh my!!! (((((((( eyes )))))))))) We love you!

This is what Lincoln was referring to when he appealed in one of his inaugural addresses to "the better angels of our nature." The communion fellowship also requires self-examination... "let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of that cup." Not a bad analogy for "communion" of all types! Looking forward to the discussion and practice of these "10 days of awe."