wwjesuslaughat

36 and pretty accurate. Can I put pineapple on popcorn and still call it popcorn?

Belle, EXCELLENT response! I bet that woman never asked any woman again when she is due. I saw an acquaintance in the mall a few years ago who I knew was expecting and asked her when she was due. She pointed to the baby in the stroller beside her. "About two weeks ago," she replied. I don't ask anymore. Fat seems to be the safe thing to make fun of anymore, now that Americans have gotten politically correct and have cut back on racial, ethnic, and sexual preference jokes. It usually doesn't bother me ( I am overweight) unless I think I have been discriminated against because of my weight. And anyone who's been overweight for a period time knows that happens too often.

I did read that post. It appears to be a consumer alert ripoff site and that particular area was concerning Ballys. That particular post was submitted by someone who claims to live in Arizona. Rumors have abounded here since Craig was fired about where he was and what he was doing. Are you substantiating the story here that he is indeed employed by Bally's, or has been in the recent past? I noticed that post was submitted in January 2006. Did you find anything out about possible action taken by Bally's in Toledo? I still could not find anything on the web by googling "L. Craig Martindale" or "The Way International" that specifically states that Martindale is currently living in the Toledo area, until I saw your post on GS tonight. If I missed that elsewhere here at GS, I apologize. I typed in "cult leader abuses women" and found a disturbingly large number of hits, none of which mentioned Martindale or TWI specifically in those hits. I even looked at Toledo area newspaper articles that might mention a former cult leader living in that city, and found nothing. I guess what I'm wondering is, is there some sort of corroboration you want from GS, or are you just trying to connect what you've stumbled upon here with the person you have been casually aquainted with the last two years? You must have some awareness even at this point that posting of your conversations with this man and the attitude you've percieved from him is going to bring up a lot of discussion.

Freud, I admit I'm no computer genius, but I couldn't find anything on google that suggested some of the things you said you found. Also, I'm a little confused. Did you find something online that specifically said that Martindale was known to be a former cult leader and living in the Toledo area? Don't newspapers have access to that kind of information? Wouldn't you think that that kind of info would make the local news? I mean, wouldn't the people of Toledo want to know about a sexual predator in their midst? Just curious.

Jardinero, That songs gives me chills too. I started singing in the church choir when I was about twelve, and we always sang this song on Easter Sunday. Our pastor's wife sang in the choir as well, and she had a great singing voice, very low for a female. I always tried to stand next to her on Easter, because when we got to the beginning of the chorus, 'Up from the grave he arose", the depth of her voice made it sound like God Himself describing how He reached down into the depths and mightily brought out His Son. It's a great memory!

Okay, I've never bet on a horse race in my life, but I'm reading on the internet today about the early favorite in the Kentucky Derby and I think I'll have to make a wager. The horse's name is Brother Derek. Why do I have to bet? I have a BROTHER named DEREK! (think it's a sign from God?)

You can't tell those guys ANYTHING!! I tried to help them with the Sower a few years ago (changing format, scaling the articles down, etc.) and every suggestion I made fell on deaf ears. Nothing happens there anymore without it being spiritual insight from M**k G*****r. The next thing they will do is ask the fellowships for a percentage of whatever "abundant sharing" "free-will giving", whatever they call it now, that is taken in individual fellowships. Mark my words. They think they have a bigger, better, WAY!

I'm a tart.

I Can See Clearly Now Jimmy Cliff (performed by Johnny Nash) I can see clearly now the rain is gone I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day I think I can make it now the pain is gone All of the bad feelin's have disappeared Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for Gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day Look all around, nothing but blue skies look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies I can see clearly now the rain is gone I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind Gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day Gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day.

The Bible does not say anything specifically about God "setting up" Mary and Joseph. He didn't orchestrate the relationship, He didn't create them "for each other." From what I understand in the Gospels, that relationship was already in place when Mary got pregnant. My point? If God didn't do anything to cosmically and supernaturally bring the two people together that would raise His own son on earth, why do so many Christians here in 21st century America think God's gonna do that for them? What happens too many times in the church is that people say God changed His mind, or they weren't really listening when He told them who to marry. "Don?" I thought you said "Dan", Lord! When people believe God brings them together, it's somehow easier for them to believe God will separate them if he has a change of plan. Bottom line is, it takes out the responsibility of the partners to maintain the relationship and put the necessary work into the marriage. Interestingly, far too many Christians use that same excuse to cheat. I've seen it too many times within the church. I don't mean to say that God has nothing to do with the selection of a mate. God can certainly answer prayer and the desires of the heart. It is an honorable thing do desire a godly mate, and I believe God can certainly work in someone's heart and life to make that happen. Maybe for me it's kind of like someone giving you a brand new Porsche as opposed to saving for 10 years to get one on your own. Which one will most people work harder at maintaining?

Didn't see any of the nominated movies, and I missed Phillip Seymour Hoffman's speech, but I thought Reese Witherspoon's speech was very sweet. Go Nashville girl!

Belle, How interesting that you have bathroom dreams. I have had them too, especially in the last 3-4 years. I don't remember having them until that time. That was about the time I left the splinter group I was involved with and didn't look for anything else to replace it. I also have dreams about futuristic bathrooms, different designs for toilets and such. Either I'm looking for new ways to dispose of crap, or I'm channelling a home decorating network from the fillings in my teeth. I have dreams about places and houses too. Very elaborate detail. Maybe I'm just dreaming about my....dream house?

My Webpage I hope that goes through. Saw it on the Food Network. Really cool stuff

I have to deal with women (girls) in their early 20's flirting with each other at my JOB! They are all straight, but seem to think that that's fine. It makes me uncomfortable sometimes. Am I just not "with it?"

What do you call a musician in Nashville without a wife or girlfriend? Homeless!

George, I truly do identify with your struggle and your "lot in life". Seems like everything I have or have tried to do I have had to fight for and I really don't have much. It has helped me to meet someone who has struggled as much as I have and understands some of the same hardships. I think you are articulate and intelligent, which, for me, is very appealing. I know there are other women out there who feel the same. This is not the sunshine-up-your-skirt, mindless feel-good babble I'm throwing at you. I'm just saying I believe anybody can find love, companionship, friendship, whatever they're looking for. While I sense resignation in your posts, I think there's still a little glimmer of hope there too, warily hiding behind cynicism. Keep that little line open. You never know when you'll need it. I certainly didn't.

Likeaneagle, I too, thought for many years that I could only be married and did not ever seriously consider living with someone. For me to think of any other option other than marriage is a big step for me. It means breaking out of a very narrow point of view that I've had since TWI/CES and face a wider horizon. It means dealing with some "fear of God" for stepping away from what I'm "supposed" to do. I believe most people here at GS have been down this road, or are still traveling it, in some areas of life. This just happens to be one of my roads. I really don't know at this point if we will move in together or what. For me, I still want to be married, and I don't think I could consider a long-term living together arrangement without some plan for marriage, and I have discussed that with my sweetie. It's not a question of commitment on his part, or whether he loves me. I just feel that there is a greater bond in marriage. However, I have never been married before, and I know that many divorced people see things differently. I understand the thinking of not wanting to do that again.

Geez, didn't mean to start something! :( :unsure:

Lots of interesting opinions. We have been dating for a year, although we went to high school together but never met there. Both our families live in the area so we've had plenty of opportunity to see the family dynamic and that certainly helps get an idea of someone's background. Mark, we have discussed marriage and living together somewhat vaguely over the last few months, but recently he mentioned it as more of a distinct possibility. It wouldn't happen anytime real soon. He has some family obligations to take care of and I don't want to pull him away from them. I know how important it is to him to help take care of his parents, both of whom have health issues. Personally, I could see living together for a little while in preparation to getting married. He is open to the idea as well, but being divorced, like several who post here, he is a little hesitant about getting married again. We get along very well, we love being together but recognize that each of us needs our own personal space and would be willing to accommodate the other in that respect.

Although I don't start many topics, many of the topics I have started have seemed to be in the "singles, dating, relationship" vein. Greasespot has been very helpful to me in helping me weed out what Waybrain I have along these lines. (I suppose you could check the archives under my name for a chuckle or two.) Anyway, the subject of living together has come up recently with my sweetie and me. A little background here; we are both in our mid-40's, neither of us has kids, don't know how much that is still a possibility at this point so that doesn't drive the relationship, he is divorced, I've never been married. I know a number of you are happily married now, some of you are happily living together, and some of you are happily divorced. No real question here, I just wanted to get some input on the options. Thanks!

Since I'm now working for a local cell phone company, this is very helpful info to have. I will pass it along to my associates and customers. It always amazes me the number of people who will buy their 10-year-old a top of the line, expensive phone with all the gizmos and then not put insurance on the phone. :huh: I only have a cell phone, too. Since I have cable internet, it seemed unneccessary to have a land line when the long distance packages for cell phones are a really good deal. It does stink about the text message charges, though.

Ooh, can we bring the penguins back up from last year?

He migrated to CES 2-3 years ago. I don't know if he's still involved. I think he lived in MA or PA at the time I knew him.

Elvis got his only Grammy for his gospel music. I was never a really big fan of his, but when he sang gospel, you knew he felt every word. I've seen the PBS special, it was very good.

I swear baby, before I got fixed...