Monday, July 31, 2000

 > > > >  court | 7/31/2000 05:14:16 PM | linky <

  Thom and I have been breaking new ground in our relationship - Saturday night we went on a date... we walked down his beach and up the trails by the river, and stopped and prayed for awhile... went into town and sat in front of the video store for an hour or so talking and praying about our fears and insecurities...

We made commitments to each other and to God to totally let up the control we try to hold on to in our lives, and give our lives and our relationship to God... wherever He takes us, whatever it takes... break me, mold me, shape me... as Thom said... "If I don't give myself to the Potter, I'll never be a pot." We sang "create in me a clean heart" and "change my heart o God" and "as the deer" and felt very, very close to each other and to Him...

It's a huge leap of faith, for me especially, to say I trust God to do whatever He wants with me, especially when I feel so close to Thom and I really want to hang onto him for good. And I do feel like God perhaps wants Thom and I to stay together permanently. But it's the letting go of control that is so difficult...

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 > > > >  court | 7/31/2000 05:00:59 PM | linky <

  I'm back from camp! Seems this place has been kinda dead this last week... I'm hoping to post the end times stuff pretty soon though, so maybe that will change. :) Camp was great - about 16 kids accepted Christ, and it was just awesome. On the final night, around midnight, Thom went out in the middle of the campground and played "Amazing Grace" on his tenor sax - that was really, really cool. People came out of their cabins to watch him, and just marvel at his gift.

So... until next time, God bless!

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    Friday, July 21, 2000

 > > > >  court | 7/21/2000 02:47:05 PM | linky <

  Sorry It's taking so long to get my thoughts up - I hope to write something up before Monday, when Thom and I leave for a week (we're both staff members for the middle school youth group here, which has camp next week). I've been talking to people and studying up, so I hope to have something interesting for you...
:)

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    Friday, July 14, 2000

 > > > >  court | 7/14/2000 02:04:10 PM | linky <

  I am currently studying pre-millenialism and amillenialism, and will post my findings in the next couple of days.

I got the following in an email forward. Usually I'm not a "forward" person, but this one was pretty cool:

"IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE

The maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code-named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been techincally termed 'Subsequential Internal Non-Morality,' or more commonly known as S-I-N, as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgement.

Some other symptoms are: (a) Loss of direction (b) Foul vocal emissions (c) Amnesia of origin (d) Lack of peace and joy (e) Selfish or violent behavior (f) Depression or confusion in the mental component (g) Fearfulness (h) Idolatry.

The manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge, to correct this SIN defect.

The number to call for the recall station in your area is P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN by pressing R-E-P-E-N-T-A-N-C-E.
Next, download J-E-S-U-S into the heart.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, the JESUS repair will replace it with: (a) Love (b) Joy (c) Peace (d) Patience and longsuffering (e) Gentleness (f) Goodness (g) Faith (h) Kindness (i) Self-control and temperance.

Please see operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details on the use of these fixes.

Warning: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids the manufacturer's warranty, exposing owners to dangers and problems too numerous to mention."

I also was reminded of this quote, which says a lot by itself: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

God bless! :)

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    Monday, July 10, 2000

 > > > >  court | 7/10/2000 02:28:14 PM | linky <

  Thanks, Jeannine, for that suggestion. :) I was thinking that would be a great idea for us to do - write out everything God has done for you, ways He's answered prayer, ways he's worked in your life, etc.

I received the following in an email:

"I'd like to see more opinions on the end times. I have an uncle who through teaching/researching the Hebrew and Greek scriptures has formed an amillenial (sp?) viewpoint. I haven't done the research to find out where I am on the whole thing. I used to be pre-millenial, but lately have been 'undecided' on the whole issue until I know more. I guess either way, Jesus will be back to take his own, right?"

Anyone want to discuss the matter? :)

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 > > > >  | 7/10/2000 12:12:46 PM | linky <

  Dear all,
I would just like to say that the message this Sunday by Pastor Mike was quite thought provoking. I followed his advice this morning, about writing out all the things that I am thankful for, or that God has done and blessed me. Wow. He was right, it did certainly result in praise, and even tears, as I was moved again by the idea that He died for me. I would encourage all of you to write these things out...what a time. And also, how he said that the Bible is God's "love letter" to us, and proceded to describe what one does with a "love letter." =) How they read it over and over again, in good times and in bad, reminded of how much they are loved. I love that idea. Remember that He has called us for such a time as this, to be ready in season and out of season...I need to be reminded every day. Well, take care and God bless!
Jeannine

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    Wednesday, July 05, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 7/5/2000 10:21:47 PM | linky <

  hey all. so is this a chat between courtney and myself? or is there a thom and a laurel out there? or are you two similar to jeannine?

first off about the whole free will stuff - that is so complicated, but to sum up what I have learned from the study my dad did in sunday school, I feel that everything in my faith with God was done by him for his purpose. what that entails is everything. from the knowledge to the understanding and even the choosing was done by God. because if I am dead I can do nothing right; I can't raise a finger. nothing I have done or will do can save me. I was "dead" but was made alive by Christ; I was given the eye so I was able to see. I was given the breath so I was able to breathe. I didn't choose him, he chose me. not the other way around like most want to believe. because who am I? a sinner like myself. I have the ability to make that decision? I don't think so. this also talks about the predestined; we were chosen before the foundation of the earth, before there was time? remember we were all made with a plan. one that He made. it isn't like a game of chess where the pieces are there and they play by themselves. they need something to move them in a way with the entire game already mapped out. God knows every move I make and one that I shouldn't, that is the free will. when I know what is right and I don't do it. free will isn't that I choose God. that is saying that I did something to receive Christ. I did nothing!!! So the big question should come up. WHy doesn't he choose every one? why did he choose me over someone else? well that is simple. because he wants to. you may think that isn't fair? well, who are you to question God? remember it is God's will, not yours. and on that note I will have to go; that is pretty much what I feel about free will and the Doctrine of Election. ok good night and God bless you.
TIll the whole world hears
love, your brother in Christ
Thaddaeus

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    Monday, July 03, 2000

 > > > >  court | 7/3/2000 07:11:08 PM | linky <

  This is a really great site for basic fundamentals of Christianity. The design may not be so hot, but the content is great.

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 > > > >  | 7/3/2000 03:33:00 PM | linky <

  hello all...wow it's been a long time, but this has to be short. Now, as it seems that this is the main wave of communication between some of us, I must say to those unaware...I may not be able to take the time to post for I don't know how long. This is just a "hi, how are ya." I am working full time and taking a class (microbiology) at PC, that keeps me on my toes. I truly love to read what you are all saying, Courtney, Thad, Laurel...keep it up, and Gloria a Dios (Glory to God).
'till the whole world hears
love Jeannine

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 > > > >  court | 7/3/2000 02:37:19 PM | linky <

  Hey Thad, what did you think of the free will stuff? There weren't too many responses here, but I think it's an interesting topic...

How about purity in relationships? We've discussed dating, but assuming you are in that sort of relationship, you know of the delicate balance, the line you must constantly tread to respect your partner and not plunge into temptation. It can be hard. Thom and I have had to constantly keep our limits in mind, especially during those lazy times when the mind tends to wander. We made a contract, then copied it and sealed it with the intention of giving it back to each other when/if the proper time (marriage) comes around. How do you maintain the balance? :)

Respecting each other (as "our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit") and glorifying God in your actions should be the top priorities... as well as just nurturing a lasting friendship. It can be done. But as with all good things, it takes effort, and a lot of prayer. Sometimes it's hard to "meditate on those things that are pure, and righteous, and holy," and etc., when someone you love (and are quite attracted to) is close to you.

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    Saturday, July 01, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 7/1/2000 11:04:55 PM | linky <

  well good evening all, I hope all are well and going good. :) wasn't that a redundent sentance. anyway. I am too lazy right now to change it even though it would probably take more time to write this than to erase that. oh well, I had fun typing it. things here are going great; today more family left (that isn't good) :( I hope when I am old I live close to my brother and sister. I would hate not being able to see them for years.

about the topic of the morals of abortion, lets just say there ain't any. I see both of you (Courtney & Laurel) have a passion for the unborn children. one thing I don't like is when people call an unborn babe a "fetus." one quick question. What does "Fetus" mean??? does any one know latin?? well the dictionary meaning of Fetus is Infant, baby, child. Courtney, you were talking about how people change things to mean the same thing, but make it "sound better." doesn't that sound nice?? so then next time anyone says "fetus," ask them if they speak Latin, and then ask them to stop using it unless they can. Then tell them the true meaning of it.

the whole woman's rights stuff, like "she has the right to choose;" if you ask me that is crap. yes, crap. can a woman take her clothes off in public? can she shoot a line of Heroin? if she took her clothes off she would be fined a ticket for indecent exposure. and I think you all know the concequences for drug use. Do you realize that the percent of abortions for rape and birth defects is strongly in the minority, less then 5%, and the number one reason is because parents didn't want a boy, they wanted a girl. or they didn't want a girl but a boy. hummmm, how pathetic....do you understand that when the scalpel goes in to cut up the "fetus" the baby pushes away from the knife, because it doesn't know what it is? and the vacuum that is used to suck the parts out is 100 times the strength of your household vacuum cleaner. It causes internal bleading and severe pain to the abdomen. now we are getting to what the mom feels. and all those around her... do you know the commercial that says "this is your brain, and this is your brain on drugs," but then it goes on to smash everything in the kitchen, because everyone around feels and has some part in the action. same as in abortion. you aren't done as you walk out of the hospital. the rest of your life you will regret it, the rest of your life you will wonder what the name of the child would have been, the rest of your life you would wonder what color eyes, what color hair that child would have had. you will wonder what kind of life that child would have had if only you weren't so selfish. that is all I have to say. good night.

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