anotherDan

And now back to newbies and how brash they can be! :nono5:

That is a great thread idea. You could share how it's done in the Jewish community in the first post. But the actual practice of it would be of great value, I think. I ask myself, is what I just posted really a reflection of my best self? So often, I think the answer would be "no." So it helps to think about it. Your mention of the mote-in-the-eye is so appropriate. What Jesus taught is designed to get ME to think about MY "lense." How often I make assumptions based upon what a person posts, perhaps in a weak moment, something I've done, I know. I don't know how many takers you'd have, Abi, but it's a wonderful idea.

Well, T, that's a more thorough evaluation than I even hoped to do, and you bring up some points that I wouldn't have considered without you. Thank you! I think my mind is OK to rest regarding the claims of the class on the green card. Larry, I was thanking you for your post and your participation. Mr. H: that was very moving. I've prayed similar prayers. ((( squirrel )))

This is why when the Pope speak excathedra, which, being interpreted, "from the throne," it is extra-special communication, not to be taken lightly, because this is where he does his best thinking.

Some time ago, I read an article or maybe it was a film of some kind... anyway, the substance of the piece was a documentation of many individual "conversions" of Muslims to Christianity. I seem to remember the producer of the piece acknowledged that much more than he was reporting was happening, but he was limiting his report to cases where individual Muslim men and women came to personal epiphanies of Christ, spontaneously experienced, often to the chagrin and even horror of the recipients. If anyone knows what I'm talking about (I obviously don't!), then would you post it here? Is it a book or an article or a film? IIR, there were numerous interviews with former Muslims.

Now listen squirrel, I'm interested. If you decide not to post it, I would be honored if you would PM it to me. Thank you, Socks. Thank you, Larry.

Linda! I am delighted. Wondered where you'd been! I have missed you.

There are regularly over a hundred "guests" (non members) browsing here, when I check the IPB portal. Sometimes many more. All for various reasons, I suppose. And probably most of them with a TWI background.

I just can't see Jesus saying, "Go, and read no more." But you've acknowledged you have a problem. That's the first step. Hi, my name is Dan, and I'm a bookaholic.

Thank you, Socks. And it was my take throughout my early years, starting in '73, that salesmanship was just something we were doing to bring a "product" we believed in to the world. I wanted then what I want now--an understanding of my role, responsibility, and proper relationship to God, and other people. I wanted the Truth. I wanted to love authentically, and to be loved. By the time I was 20, I didn't really have high expectations that I'd ever enter into that kind of wholeness. From day one, I knew the class had problems, but there was enough there to get me excited about the possibilities, at least. I chafed at some parts of the class, and I was put off by our class instructor handling my questions after the class so glibly and flippantly. (One of my questions was, "Has the ministry looked into the authenticity and relevancy of the Dead Sea Scrolls?" His answer was, "yes" and he moved on to my next question. He handled all the questions rather poorly.) Within four months, I shipped out to Arkansas for my first WOW year. And I simply got too busy to really study the Word myself. I really thought for many years that that was what it was all about, but it became increasingly apparent that there was a platform to uphold. I believed in likemindedness, but by the 80's, what once was "make the Word your own" became "make PFAL your own." I agree with Socks (and of course, Oldiesman) that there was a lot there to hang on to. IF ONLY we would have been true to a "charter" of honesty with the Scriptures, letting them speak for themselves, we might have grown. We talked about it, but we, like so many denominations, got stuck in a doctrinal vise, and I guess we felt we had to defend it. The Way, Inc. is now toast, but I have met lots of people who have gone "beyond what they were taught" and have become truly active members of Christ's living church in a way that was simply not possible in "the old days" EXCEPT within the "household" of the Way, and with whomever we could get to join up. What kind of "benefits" would I use to "sell" the Gospel to someone today? Opens the unique wonders of God's Word Reveals God's "purpose of the ages." Teaches how to live in harmony with God's purposes for our lives That's all I would have needed. Grouchy, sorry I started that tangent with Lou Rawls. I had no idea Larry would post the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven, honest!

Larry, and "Whole Lotta Love." Actually, PTS was very liberal in VP's day. It still is, though people like Bruce Metzger gave it more balance later in the 20th Century. Hence, his disdain for "higher criticism" that he spoke about in the class. That's what PTS was all about in the 40s and 50s

one more, bro:

George and Twink: Thanks for exWeighing in. "Makes life meetingful" LOL!

Bliss, you start very cool threads.

Sir Guess, you are a crapper and a scholar

this one goes out to my new bud, Oldiesman here's to you, friend!

Outstanding! And timely for me, personally. Thank you, Cindy! My comment on the site:

Ad at bottom of page: Looks good to me. promotes harmony in the home

Good posts, Jean, Outfield, and rascal! Pretty neat how this works. My fog is lifting! :o

Like father like son! You're right, Eagle! Awesome!

:biglaugh:jump.gif

John, respectfully, it's not nit picking to me; it's fundamental. Yes, it's in the real world of lips and air and all, but it's not something you train people to do. It's a supernatural manifestion. We have it so part of us that this is "the way it's done," we have a difficult time seeing that not only is it not scripturally mandated, what we called "speaking in tongues" is not at all what the Bible is talking about.

which some, I declare, have raised to an artform! thanks for clarifying! You're all right, John. :D Here's the vid "Danny" referenced. It's Mariah and Whitney "When You Believe" Two gifted ladies, to be sure. Thanks, Danny! This reminded me to search for my favorite "Advent" song, "O Holy Night" Mariah's version is stunning. Most folks sing "Oh, night divine!" the first time, and then the second time, they go for the high note: "diVINE!" Not Mariah. She goes for the hign note the FIRST time around, and then the IMPOSSIBLE note on the second go 'round. She hits it without breaking a sweat. and now back to our regularly scheduled program