GEEZE Meredithbead, when you come back, you come back with a bang I'm sincerely sorry my words and my assurance offended you. (Hope your head feels better soon.) I can't and won't bend this way and that to make anyone feel better about themselves. I put it out there and if the shoe fits, wear it. If not then just let it go. As you can see, I'm not offended by your words. I appreciate it when people are frank and honest about their feelings. Chatty is a prime example of that. She puts it out there just the way she sees it. So does Celtic and even though we don't always agree, like two generals on the battlefield on different sides, at least I respect her for being a worthy opponent.

I've been duly and lovingly chastized but thank you for your kind reminder. I'll do my best to add my voice without offending anyone but sometimes the truth hurts. I can't help it. I didn't invent it. I just present it.

Gimster, I loved the beautician story! It was great. That's the way Christ taught also, in analogies and by asking questions. Did you ever think about that? The Pharasees and spiritual leaders were always trying to trip him up or appeal to his ego, but he didn't have an ego because he was sinless, so he just replied with questions to their wordy traps.

Thinking seems to be a lost art these days. People are more into feeling than thinking it seems, me included.

I know my feelings have been running high these days. Oh well, at least that way I know I'm alive

I've never seen a topic stir so many emotions. Honestly, I never have not even politics. Its good to know from my safe and sound location within my belief system what others believe. It makes it much easier with that knowledge to know where to meet them and help them understand the truth so they can have a better life. That's all. No proselytizing or bludgeoning.

I look at myself as that person who takes the keys away from the drunk driver before they get behind the wheel and endanger their lives or the lives of others. The person getting in the veh to drive home may object and fight vehemently with you and insist they aren't drunk afterall, just feeling good or a bit tipsy. Christ himself while on the cross said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Speaking of those who had set the snare for him and finally he "allowed" them to capture him so that he could pay the ultimate price for our salvation and eternal life with the Father.

I would rather sit under the tutelige of a pastor who gets alone with God and sincerely from his/her heart hears from God what his/her congregation needs to hear for their healing, happiness, peace and well being. I've never had a lot of respect for the three topic and sermonettes retrieved from a book of sermons. I could go to the public library and check one of them out myself.

Anyway, I'm glad this thread is still open. It's interesting although volitile