glintofpewter

Fair Closure from the person who said they didn't like study bibles.: As result of this thread I asked for and got for Christmas "The New Oxford Annotated Bible," NRSV version w/ Apocrypha, College Edition. Dutch

Religion is the vision of something which stands beyond,and within, the passing flux of immediate things; something which is real, and yet waiting to be realized; something which is a remote possibility, and yet the greatest of present facts; something that gives meaning to all that passes , and yet eludes apprehension; something whose possession is the final good, and yet is beyond all reach; something which is the ultimate ideal, and the hopeless quest. Science and the modern World, Whitehead, in Process Theology, A guide for the Perplexed.

Can't imagine how.

Eldred, It's wonderful to have you here. Dutch

Well, I can stop my posting. George says it well.

Jesus meets us where we are and asks us to move in his direction. He is correct in his observation about camels and needle. We can only operate in our sphere of influence. I do what I can and could do more. Affluence is not my problem. For me it is self discipline, being willing to yield myself. Dutch

Good one Joseph

Joke for the day: A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting! The trooper cranked down his window and yelled, "PULL OVER!" "No," the blonde yelled back, "It's a scarf!"

Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol - Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead. Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead. Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive. So the Minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?" Maxine was setting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"

Mike, did you read King Elfland's Daughter by Dunsany? That made someone's top ten list for all-time best. Paul and Jenell, thanks for reminding me of jean Auel. I read most if not all of her books. They would be enjoyable a second time around. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series seems as engrossing as the Enders Game series by Orson Scott Card. Tempting. Terry Brookes Shannara series - that's more than I want to get involved in. Wikipedia has a "reading plan" for new readers! River God by Wilbur Smith and the Hyksos invasion - my kind of book. I have only watched mysteries and rarely read them. I would watch Agatha Christie whenever she's on. Lev Grossman's The Magicians (and sequel, The Magician King) - these are at the top of my list after reading the reviews. My Uncle recommended Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry - way too serious. Thanks all! Dutch

I agree, Neon. Here is a more 'official' statement: I am always amazed at how powerful humans are that we can prevent God's will from bringing more human beings into existence. BOGGLES THE MIND! Catholic Answers Dutch

any Catholics among us have the answer?

Yvonne, that's wonderful. I have friend who did the same thing. You and he have something in common. You both have a very real contemplative part of your life which is revealed in your thought and conversations. Dutch

Remember the twin case where the Catholic couple would not intervene to save one of the twins and were willing to allow both to die? Passive vs active in the life and death situations. Is the prohibition against birth control also a remnant of the "sex is only for procreation not pleasure" attitude? Dutch

It is the passive versus active, I think. Allowing God - in this case nature, not God - to run its course versus actively interfering with nature. In the overworked rationalizations of the RC church it it fails to distinguish between God and nature. It also fails to distinguish between a right to life, which does not exist in my opinion, and a right to be treated with dignity. Dutch

I have to use up my holidays at work so I am taking off Feb 21-26 and planning to read a few books - instead of surfing . I have lots of non-fiction books on my list. What book of fiction would you want to read right now if you had the time? Dutch

from Don Scrooby's blog http://seeingmoreclearly.blogspot.com/2012/01/part-2-process-theology-god-nurtures.html ... God can be imagined as an intimate, creative and freedom supporting parent who says to her/his child, 'Surprise me, do something I hadn't fully expected so that together we can bring about something new and exciting.' " Process Theology - A Guide for the Perplexed, Bruce Epperly

Therefore I think it seems required of me, and my Duty, as a Man, to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING. .Benjamin Franklin

Yvonne, Wow!

A party just for the heck of it? No iconic event? Just to celebrate being - Australian?! Sounds like a laid back approach to national holidays.

Love, Go to this thread. Posts 34,35 http://tcpc.ipbhost.com/index.php?/topic/1644-are-we-welcoming-of-those-of-all-sexual-orientations/page__pid__30957__st__20#entry30957

Love Daniel Nahmod's songs. I don't see sheet music which would help get the choir or congregation to sing

Pro Hayes at Yale has something relevant to your observation but it is another topic. Dutch

You seem overwhelmed. I have deconstructed the Bible as much as others I think But deconstruction doesn't mean that some of the stories can't be told again in child friendly way. After all some of us let our children believe in Santa Claus until they didn't want to. The power of a story is that it can be told with different meanings .The Garden of Eden story can be told without original sin and substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus. You can read the account in the Family Bible or the Beginners Bible and add your own commentary. Without too much of a stretch those accounts lend themselves to talking about growing up and moving out on your own. I assure you that this is a valid reading that has been around for 1000 years or more. Reading them with an emphasis on being good stewards of the planet also works well. Even if you focus only on the stories of Jesus for children you will be avoiding the in-your-face confrontational stories in which he seems mean to others. As troubling as the story of Noah is, there are two readings that are child friendly. One we used in pre-school focused on caring for the animals. Another is that God acted out of anger and said he was sorry. Children aren't interested in an adult reading of the story. I think they hear at an age appropriate level different meanings. If it is told in a non-rigid way - that one reading of the story is the only true way to understand it - then at each age they can read it again. Then one day they will be able to read the story as an adult without losing their faith. Jonah and the Whale, Ruth, Esther, David and Goliath Some will object to this last one but kids who hear stories with simple violence are not harmed IF the parent is there to help them process and find a positive understanding. Little kids can accomplish big things. Also Abraham, Joseph, Moses. The ten commandments are too succinct but here is a paraphrase that you will find useable and without "adultery". There are others like this but I am biased http://tcpc.ipbhost....8933#entry28933 If you are ever able to influence the choice of Sunday School curriculum I recommend the new Progressive Christianity stuff. http://www.tcpc.org/...cfm?page_id=114 Remember that we all put our own meaning into a story. Be centered, relax and trust that you will find the reading of each Bible story that fits your child. Take Care Dutch

It is a good thing that the audio post feature has not been activated. If it had we could sing Happy Birthday to markn902 and Jagged Zen Monkey. A silent Happy Birthday to you both.