a coherent collection of random statements regarding God, words and tunes

A light in the middle of the tunnel....

I just posted a shorter version of this story in the comments section of someone else's blog (whose address I decline to post for his own protection .... although y'r capable of finding it yrself....), which in turn prompted me to just go for the gusto....

Yep, I'm going personal again.... although really, the first part of this is a composite of the last several non-musical entries.... although-er, it might also explain why The Scattered Pages have been getting to me so relentlessly the past couple months....

I should also add up front: This gets better as it goes along. Bear with me.

Anyway, to recap a bit: As you might've noticed, I've been working (officially, not my own thing; I'll get to that shortly...) on a product that I'm not at all happy with, and which clearly nobody else wants even if we did it well. I think that's all I want or need to say about that, besides that I'm stuck with, as I've put it to friends here, "midwiving a stillborn child" for another year and a quarter.

On top of that, the next few weeks are looking like a "perfect storm," as I'll be simultaneously reading proofs for Quarter 2, manuscripts for Quarter 3, brainstorming and recruiting authors for Quarter 4 and drafting a scope and sequence for all of Year 2.

(So byrnes, if and when you ever return to mo'time -- how's the first week of April sounding to ya'?)

My own thing: Suffice to say everyone likes the idea and the sample lessons on the table, and the test-run's going pretty well, but barring the miraculous, this (and any other adult curriculum, for that matter) is on hold until next year. And due to the time hole the "official" curriculum has thrown us into, I've written all of one lesson in the past month-plus for the second quarter. After writing the entire first quarter in a little more than two months.

So yeah, I'm kinda frustrated right now. And since I've decided to stop expressing that vocally here, you now are the happy recipients, dear bloggies.

And lest I leave out church-whining, I won't. But I do want to preface it by saying that I'm not angry at anyone this time, and that I don't think this church does a bad job. Quite the contrary. They're scary-efficient in a way that I've never seen in a church before, and the pastor is probably the best week-in/week-out preacher I've ever heard. Seriously.

Which in a way, may be part of the problem. Coming out of 15 years of church-planting has "spoiled" us. We can't punch a clock. We don't LIKE things perfect. Or big. And it's hard to do anything real in the way of ministry with people who do. And in short, it's been a nice vacation from the banging-our-heads-against-a-wall that represented our last church, but that's about it.

Cut away here: My youngest daughter is going on a two-month missions trip with YWAM this summer (and yes, we've gotten all the e-mails and phone calls -- we're an hour from Arvada and two from Colorado Springs and she doesn't have to visit either, thankyouverymuch) to teach English in Romania. After a lot of prayer (and as it was kind of a qualifier to letting her go for that long), God brought someone into her life who just happened to be looking for a trip herself.

A few weeks ago, the two of them went to the friend's church and Bible study. Now, mind you, Amy has been helping considerably at said scary-efficient church with the middle-school group, Sunday School, etc. (Frankly, she was the biggest reason we wound up at said church.) And yet, she came back raving things like "That's the most I've gotten out of a study since we got out here" and (and needless to say, this one got my attention) "That's what I've missed about church plants!"

It's worth prefacing the following by mentioning that this is an ex-biker church who's gone through some REALLY hard times and has pretty much turned over personnel completely (as well as lost their building, which was owned by the pastor who was the source of all said problems -- and it was VERY ugly) over the last year and a half. (It may also be worth adding that Amy's friend's dad was the person who first confronted said pastor. Which got my respect big-time right there. It's also worth adding that he's a big biker guy who hugs a LOT. )

Anyway, we went. Suffice to say, worship was LOUD, and featured the occasional penchant for rewriting classic rock songs into Christianese (example: Bad Company's "Feel Like Making Love" rendered into "Feel Like Praising God," which about a dozen members of the congregation headbanged in front of the band to ). A lot of them still smoke, and a few of them clearly showed up buzzed.

But you know what? There was an unpretentiousness there (and really, can one even USE the word "unpretentiousness" without SOUNDING pretentious? ), a desire to hear, and a genuine sense of GRATITUDE for what God has already done in their lives, even if those lives aren't necessarily "up to Christian code" yet.

In short, I felt like "What the @$&# is the matter with ME?" And was happy just to help break down the chairs afterward.

Oh yeah, and the pastor's message was good, too. 

And something I've learned already: There's no such thing as a pew-warmer at this place. You WILL be involved. Stand up and read. Get over there and pray. NOW. Stop being a Christian only in yr HEAD.

Anyway, maybe we wind up there; maybe we don't. I'm kind of betting on the former right now. (I should add that Marion loved it.) But suffice to say, God used that to talk to me big-time.

And as I wrote this, the following e-mail came from said pastor (they're engaging in a 21-day "fast" currently) arrived -- using my personal favorite verse, no less. I can't help but think it belongs here, then.... and then I'll shut up, which is probably best anyway.... although obviously, it feels good just to write sometimes too....

Posted by: burninglight at 16:19 | link | comments (44)

Comments:

#1  21 February 2008 - 19:53

 

"The will of God may often be different than our own, but that is not to say that it is ambiguous or unknowable."

I really like that line; I think our modern society holds the Paul Simon attitude instead, that being

"God only knows, and God makes His plan. The information is unavailable to the mortal man. We go to work, collect our pay, think we're glidin' down the highway when if fact we're really slip slidin' away."

The truth is that God's will is knowable if we base all of our moves on

The Core Principle of Life

which is ...

Anonymous

#2  21 February 2008 - 19:57

 

to always with each and every action you contemplate, ask

"Will this action help me become the best version of myself?"


If we consistently do that with sincerity, God's will starts to become crystal clear, in terms of things that he would like us to be doing with our individual lives.

Jim

Anonymous

#3  21 February 2008 - 20:20

 

The point being that God made us each totally unique, and he wants us to be the best version of ourselves, rather than the best version of somebody else, or a copy of somebody else.

So, all we can do to know God's will is to ask if an action will help us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be for God.

Do these companions help me to be the best version of myself?

Will buying this CD help me to be the best version of myself? (Ouch!)

Will watching this movie help me to be the best version of myself?

Will going to this website help me be the best version of myself?

Questions like that we can ask ourselves. And then even career ones.

Will choosing this job help me be the best version of myself or am I doing it for money/ego?

Will moving to Hawaii help me be the best version of myself, or am I just trying to escape from my problems here?

Just think how clearer God's will would become to all of us if we constantly asked ourselves if our actions would help us to be the best version of ourselves.

So anyhow, that's the main point on Matthew Kelly's powerful CD called "Becoming the Best Version of Yourself".

That's where I got the idea of keeping a journal of what God shows me at mass.

Its a cool CD to have whether one is a Catholic or not. I highly recommend it. One of thus life-changing kinds of talks.

Jim

Anonymous

#4  07 March 2008 - 00:38

 

Ok since Jim's invaded my blog I'll invade here. First off, who decides what the 'best version of ourself' is? The person selling CDs of the same name? Probably. I'm sick to death of all you believers not being happy enough with what you've found for yrselves and not being content until you've forcesd yr thinking down the throats of folks like me who really don't care. Believers get a lot of mileage (not to mention donations) for presenting something they can't even prove as not only fact but essential fact. "God is a father" indeed. Nothing but a bunch of fatherfigure fetishists w/too much (of our) cash, if you ask me.

And no, nobody asked me, but like good Catholic Jim, I figured you couldn't live without my take.
tim

timbyrnes

#5  07 March 2008 - 01:06

 

"Ok since Jim's invaded my blog I'll invade here. First off, who decides what the 'best version of ourself' is?"

Joel Osteen? :PPPPPP

burninglight

#6  07 March 2008 - 01:59

 

"First off, who decides what the 'best version of ourself' is?"

I think to quite an extent, we do.

I mean, we all know what we're good at, and what our gifts are that have served as a blessing to other people. We are all made very unique, and very special, and so we all have our own personal sense of how we can best contribute to the well being of others.

Plus, stuff that we know is going to do us good, and make uis feel better and happier in the long run.

For instance, the guy telling us "get another credit card and live it up some more" is not looking to make us the best version of ourself. Thus he is not our true friend.

But the guy who says "Simplify your life, try to pay off your bills, and find happiness in the simple things" - - that is a guy who is looking out for our long term good.

Anyhow, its totally true and it totally works. With each decision, ask

"Is this going to help me be the best version of myself?"

"Is this going to help nurture the best qualitites in me, or is it going to feed the baser side of my nature?"

Questions like that.

From my standpoint, God is the whole picture, so that gives me some added perspective and direction of what good and bad decisions are, regarding some issues of moral behavior.

So what are your thoughts on the idea that

"will this help me to be the best version of myself?"

being the major principle of life?

In my mind, it is a heck of a great compass to keep us from making lousy decisions. I wish I would have had it in perspective a lot sooner in life.

Jim

Anonymous

#7  07 March 2008 - 02:12

 

Osteen, is he the one w/137 teeth and the really hot wife? You know w/all these smiling pickpockets fleecing the flock in de name of de lawd, maybe I can get in on this: Take advantage of the equal time amandment and have an anti-evangelist show. I can see it now, "Giving the Devil His Due w/Tim Byrnes" hmmmm. maybe Fox'd go for it! Buster, get me Rupert Murdoch on the phone! Yes, AGAIN!!!!
tb

timbyrnes

#8  07 March 2008 - 03:49

 

'From my standpoint, God is the whole picture, '


And from my standpoint, that's yr whole problem. I can tell a Credit Card Salesman is trying to con be while being an atheist. I think the best version of myself is the self reliant, bullshit detecting typist at large you so wish to influence. But I'm not stupid or a child so you have no chance and that just kills you, doesn't it? I mean late at night when you can't sleep have you ever considered that I just might be right. I've considrered you might be and if you are then I'm a going to hell, but at least I'm a going with my mind intact! Oh and Carl, I'll bring leave my antiweligious wabbitgun at home as soon as Jim leaves punk rock blues. This is still (snicker) America.
tb

timbyrnes

#9  07 March 2008 - 16:19

 

"'From my standpoint, God is the whole picture,'
And from my standpoint, that's yr whole problem."

Look at the happiness in the life of an everday Joe Christian guy. You said that your life sucks. When guys like me get in a rut, at least I know Someone is there helping me out.


"I can tell a Credit Card Salesman is trying to con be while being an atheist."

Well, that's fine. My answer in my first response to you was for the atheist and non-atheist. We can still all try to be the best version of what/how we believe we are supposed to be in life.

"I think the best version of myself is the self reliant, bullshit detecting typist at large you so wish to influence."

Well, its good to be self-reliant, and its good to detect BS. As long as we're not relying on ourselves for things that we can't rely on ourselves for.

"But I'm not stupid or a child..."

Only stupid people and children accept Christianity? Does not compute. Not true to our human experience whatsoever.

"... so you have no chance and that just kills you, doesn't it?"

If it does kill me, its only out of sorrow for the happiness that you are missing out on.

"I mean late at night when you can't sleep have you ever considered that I just might be right."

I've looked at your arguments; but at the end of the day, my reasoning leads me to have faith.

"I've considrered you might be and if you are then I'm a going to hell,..."

Not necessarily. I was just having some fun with the AC song. As a Christian, The Bible encourages me to spread the gospel; however there is not a whole lot about what will happen to people who do not know of or understand Christ. Maybe you've had a unique life that would make it harder for you, than the next guy, to believe. Only God knows that stuff. Still, yeah, I'm concerned for your salvation, as well as your happiness down here. Excuse me for being human.

"...but at least I'm a going with my mind intact!"

We all have the light of reason, where we can break down and discriminate fact from fiction.

I've tried to do that with you on one or two occasions, and the result was that you were more interested in spewing the same opinions you've had since you were twelve years old.

Remember, when I tried to put evidence on the table about things like a human fetus, and the ressurection. So that we could discuss them rationally? And do you remember how well you were willing to be objective and reason about it?

I seem to remember you saying that even scientific facts are subjective, like an ultrasound that shows a fetus bouncing around inside its mother like he/she can't wait to get out?

Its good to have your mind intact, but the mind was made for reasoning, not being hysterical at every little thing that threatens to prove your beliefs wrong.

"Oh and Carl, I'll bring leave my antiweligious wabbitgun at home as soon as Jim leaves punk rock blues. This is still (snicker) America."

I'm trying to phase it out, so don't worry about it. Tell your friends Nietzche, and whoever your other chums are, that its safe to go back there now.

Jim

Anonymous

#10  09 March 2008 - 12:12

 

Hey Carl,

Back to the original post here (sorry for the sidetrack, it was just that line in the pastor's quo0te that got me going on a tangent), a few questions:

1) So where is your daughter's mission trip to this summer?

2) How's the biker church going?

3) Is you adult Bible study based on any specific book(s) of The Bible, or is it more general biblical principles in nature?

Jim

Anonymous

#11  09 March 2008 - 21:09

 

Respectively:

1) Romania, where she'll be teaching English for two months;

2) Pretty good. Went to the men's group Wednesday night. It, too, was, um, different. :D It's also worth mentioning that this is the most charistmatic bunch I've been around in like 15 years. As a former AofG refugee yrself, you can probably appreciate some of what I was thinking. (Not that these guys are AofG, or that the more charismatic gifts don't appear among certain sectors of Catholicism, just that you can probably appreciate it more than many... :))

3) More the latter, although it's meant to be a bit more systematic than just "principles." Quarter 1 starts with assessing "how we got here, and where we're going," then addressing issues of Lordship, spiritual disciplines, etc., the premise being that the first person who needs discipling is YOU, 'afore you go inflicting it on anyone else . :) From there into stuff like dealing with character issues, spiritual gifts (primarily the NON-charismatic kind :D), then into mentoring/one-on-one/accountability-type discipling, then leadership, then finally more visionary what's God-called-you-into-and-how do-you-bring-others-into-it-type stuff. That's the quick version, but hopefully it gives you some idea.

burninglight

#12  10 March 2008 - 00:44

 

1) Wow, 2 months; like you were saying, thank God for email and phone.

2) I know, I've seen 'em at concerts. Fat guys with Mark Farner t-shirts, who are constantly binding the devil of this and the devil of that. But, yeah, like you say, totally sincere, which makes the rough edges forgivable.

3) Well that sounds very appealing, maybe it's on hold until next year so that The Lord can give even more insight into it in the meantime; you never know.

Jim

Anonymous

#13  11 March 2008 - 15:48

 

Its hard to read Byrnres, sometimes.

"and I believe I've copped to this elsewhere: I'm sure when the shit comes down I'll be screaming for a Republican priest,..."

So, why did/does he make me go through all of that stuff, if he knows deep inside that he's in need of conservatism and the sacraments? BTW, isn't there someone else who knows way deep inside that..., oh, nevermind. ("There's a little black spot on the sun today." - actually a very bright spot in the full glory of reality, but I guess perception is everything.)

"... but let a heathen dream and I'll leave you guys alone, too. Deal?"

Am I one of the "you guys" in his sentence? Is he saying that I can post there if I don't bloviate about politics and religion?

Who knows.

Jim

Anonymous

#14  11 March 2008 - 17:14

 

I'm pretty sure 'you guys' consists of about five you's and a me. :D

And if you don't bloviate about politics and religion, what's left? More Moody Blues? That won't work either. :P

burninglight

#15  11 March 2008 - 18:38

 

"And if you don't bloviate about politics and religion, what's left? More Moody Blues? That won't work either."

Yeah, no Moody Blues allowed on PRB. That, from Fleetwood Mac's front-line bannerman.

No "Moody Blues and their dungeon and dragon psuedosymphonies." Its like look here Byrnes, its "Nights" in white satin, not "Knights" in white satin. (Can't blame him though I guess; I half-thought the same thing before I started purchasing their stuff, mainly because I never gave a rip to think about it.)

And, the only "yous" that I know of on his board are us, an occasional left-wing kook friend of his once every five months (probably wanting to borrow a few bucks for some hash), and his long lost cousin Kathy, who only showed up once. (I guess I might of made it look pretty scary there for her; sorry about that, Tim).

Jim

Anonymous

#16  11 March 2008 - 18:47

 

BTW, since this thread has evolved into a Beatles' White thread (let each post be whatever it wants to be, who cares what the previous post was), what is your take on
the idea of

"Will this help me to be the best version of myself?"

being the core principal on which to base our decisions?

Jim

Anonymous

#17  11 March 2008 - 19:25

 

A'ight, I'll bite. :D

My joke about Osteen aside -- and really, therein lies the danger of this line of thinking in general (which is also to say, tim's question of "who decides?" is a valid one too) -- the idea definitely has its merits. So lemme go back to the original post and break it down some more...

"I mean, we all know what we're good at, and what our gifts are that have served as a blessing to other people. We are all made very unique, and very special, and so we all have our own personal sense of how we can best contribute to the well being of others."

I pretty much agree with this. Mr. Buechner had a great quote about this too: "The vocation for you is the one in which your deep gladness and the world's deep need meet -- something that not only makes you happy but that the world needs to have done."


"But the guy who says "Simplify your life, try to pay off your bills, and find happiness in the simple things" - - that is a guy who is looking out for our long term good."

Fair enough. On that note, lemme recommend Richard Swenson's book Margin. Good practical stuff.

"Anyhow, its totally true and it totally works. With each decision, ask "Is this going to help me be the best version of myself?"; "Is this going to help nurture the best qualitites in me, or is it going to feed the baser side of my nature?" Questions like that."

Definitely good questions to ask one's self.


"From my standpoint, God is the whole picture...."

That, of course, is key. Moral behavior should spring from that (and yes, tim, how well I know that it doesn't, but I and I'm pretty sure jim would argue that that comes from ignoring God and/or getting him to "bless" what I'm doing rather than following him and good coming out of that). Moral behavior should never be the end-all. Because without God, you don't wind up there. (And I'm thinking tim could throw us an "amen!" on that one. At least in the way I mean it. He'd object to the wording, of course. ;D)

I wish you could preview comments here, but I'm pretty sure this reads pretty much the way I want it to. :)

burninglight

#18  11 March 2008 - 20:56

 

"Fair enough. On that note, lemme recommend Richard Swenson's book Margin. Good practical stuff."

I'll check ebay tonight; but my kids are killin' me for the computer right now.

Enjoyed reading your feedback.

Jim

Anonymous

#19  12 March 2008 - 00:40

 

" "From my standpoint, God is the whole picture...."

That, of course, is key. Moral behavior should spring from that (and yes, tim, how well I know that it doesn't, but I and I'm pretty sure jim would argue that that comes from ignoring God and/or getting him to "bless" what I'm doing rather than following him and good coming out of that). Moral behavior should never be the end-all. Because without God, you don't wind up there. (And I'm thinking tim could throw us an "amen!" on that one. At least in the way I mean it. He'd object to the wording, of course. ;D) "

Yes, and please let me clarify.

I know full well that the two big principles of life are actually:

1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and

2) Love your neighbor as yourself.

Those should not be added to or detracted from in any way, shape, or form.

I'm just seeing that for me, personally, asking the question of

"Does this make me the best version of myself?"

helps me to crystallize those into their context and perspective.

For instance, I can say that I'm showing my love for God and neighbor by me starting a mission in China.

But would that be making me the best version of myself?

No, I was made to be a husband and father, so I would be neglecting my family.

So, I'm just saying that for me, it helps me to narrow the focus onto the things and people at hand that God would have me be giving my time, attention, and money to.

Jim

Anonymous

#20  12 March 2008 - 16:54

 

One Swenson ordered for 2 bucks on ebay.

See, I'll take some of your suggestions if they're cheap, like Skeletons; but I still haven't found MR "Fun With Sound" for cheap. :-)

Jim

Anonymous

#21  12 March 2008 - 18:25

 

I think you'll like it. Again, good common-sense stuff.

And Fun With Sound is worth whatever you pay for it. :)

burninglight

#22  12 March 2008 - 19:33

 

"And Fun With Sound is worth whatever you pay for it."

Well, I'd have to be a little more geeked for it to pay full price. I have "Safe as Milk", and to paraphrase Randy Stonehill's take on the Ramada Inn hotel chain:

Its mediocre, somewhere right there between good and bad; and when you leave, you won't quite believe what an average time you had.

Jim

Anonymous

#23  12 March 2008 - 20:34

 

Safe as Milk is definitely my least favorite Mike solo album. Mediocre is a pretty good word, although "Ache Beautiful" does and is. My favorite would be The Boat Ashore, with Fun With Sound a close second. Say Yr Prayers is pretty good, albeit on the short side.

burninglight

#24  12 March 2008 - 23:46

 

Larry Laster once lectured me about how "Safe is Milk" is not only the best Mike Roe album; but it is THEE best album ever made.

I guess with that kind of a preface to hearing any album, there's bound to be a little bit of disapointment.
:-p

My only real Mike Roe experience outside of the Dogs is a "Safe as Milk" tape, and then the 77's 88 tape, which I guess did have some pretty good guitar work.

At the end of the day I'll give his stuff a fair shake; I know myself good enough. It took me 20 years to get The Knack's "Round Trip" and 12 years to get around to Mark Knopfler's solo stuff, but I eventually got around to it.

And i'm sure SAM will sound better with another listen here and there.

Jim

LDVoyager

#25  13 March 2008 - 03:46

 

This post is a test.

But I gotta say something more interesting than that, so to do my Captain Flint meets LDV:

Tigers 2008. Tigers 2008. Can't wait. Can't wait. Captain Flint. Captain Flint. Shiver me timbyrnes. Shiver me timbyrnes. Moodies rock. Moodies rock.

LDVoyager

#26  13 March 2008 - 03:50

 

Hey CArl, in these blogs where is the button/link that says "create another post"? I craeted my first post, but I ain't able to find where to create another one? Where do you go on your blog to do it?

LDVoyager

#27  13 March 2008 - 15:37

 

Yo Jim,

Been quite the days, and gonna be for the next few weeks. But that said:

1) Larry's wrong. A LOT. :P But to be fair, there's a personal preference thing. I prefer gut-level, unpolished kinda stuff, so bear that in mind with my own preferences. (That said, both TBA & FWS have a smoother sound than I usually go for unless yr name's Mark Knopfler. But those LYRICS. Tear my heart out old, man.)

2) You need to go to the mo'time home (hit the logo at the top left, and make sure y'r signed in). Go to the Blogs section. Hit the thing that looks like a cog in the Blogs section (again, near the upper left). All should become clear at that point.

burninglight

#28  13 March 2008 - 17:42

 

Alright, thanks for getting me going with LDV.

Jim

LDVoyager

#29  24 March 2008 - 00:14

 

this is a serious question, not a snotty one: why would a Romanian kid need to learn to speak English? Other than to uphold the American Empire? Just askin'
tb

timbyrnes

#30  24 March 2008 - 01:08

 

I suppose "uphold[ing] the American Empire" is one way to look at it. But like it or not, English is the general lingual currency of the Western world, so yeah, it helps them get a leg up even if it's our leg they're getting on.

FWIW, Europeans in general put a lot more priority on learning other languages. It's not unusual at all for them to know a couple more languages besides their own. The American Empire could learn a thing or two from that. :)

burninglight

#31  24 March 2008 - 01:33

 

Yeah, actually that's what I figured and I didn't want to cast ant aspersions on yr daughter's motives or intentions. Just Amerikkka's in general. And on a completely different note: could even Kurt V. have come up w/an name as apropro for a wildnerness prophet than Jeremiah Wright?
The 'bama boy ought to make that man his V.P. 'cause like him/it or not he speaks the truth. (and for me to get behind a preacher who ain't Farrakhan should speak volumes as to my support for him. It pains me to see folks like him and Ron Paul and Mike Gravel getting laughed at or worse for having the courage to speak uncomfortable words for uncomfortable times) OK, this is turning into a prb. See ya soon. (The 3rd and 4th, right?)
tb

timbyrnes

#32  24 March 2008 - 13:29

 

Yes, tim. The 3rd and 4th. I'm sure I'll add a blog entry of my own before then just to make sure you have something to refer to. :)

burninglight

#33  25 March 2008 - 01:40

 

"...could even Kurt V. have come up w/an name as apropro for a wildnerness prophet than Jeremiah Wright?
The 'bama boy ought to make that man his V.P. 'cause like him/it or not he speaks the truth. (and for me to get behind a preacher who ain't Farrakhan should speak volumes as to my support for him. ..."

This is excellent! Liberals keep being honest about who they are, and that makes it so easy for the undecided guy to reject them.

McCain is going to have one easy time winning this November. And all the normal people out there can at least feel MUCH better about him, than about Obama.

God is good.

Jim

LDVoyager

#34  30 March 2008 - 00:43

 

"This is excellent! Liberals keep being honest about who they are, and that makes it so easy for the undecided guy to reject them. "


Sorry, I can't resist. So it's better for the undecided guy to accept the DIShonest person? Tell me where Jeremiah Wright was wrong. (This should be hysterical. I can see it now: "America is not neither a racist country and 9/11 happened while we were minding our own business and the terrorists are just jealous!!!)

and, yes Jim, I know I'm typing words in yr mouth. See how you like it.
tim the heathen socialist

Anonymous

#35  30 March 2008 - 00:49

 

.... oh, and exactly who are these 'normal' people of which you speak? I'm guessing it's people who think the way you think, right?

tim the heathen socialist
(rides again!)

Anonymous

#36  30 March 2008 - 01:56

 

"Sorry, I can't resist."

HI, Tim. Thanks for asking; the family and I are doing fine. Hope things are stabilizing with your situation, and hope the heat is working now.

"So it's better for the undecided guy to accept the DIShonest person?"

The false premise there is that McCain with all of his imperfections, is somehow even remotely as dishonest as Obama.

"Tell me where Jeremiah Wright was wrong."

A) Assuming that all of America belongs to the KKK and holds their views.

B) Assuming that he is not a racist.

C) Assuming that we should not stand for Israel for fear of terrorists.

D) Assuming that standing for Israel is not noble.

E) Assuming that standing for Farrakhan is good, when he is known for espousing irrational conclusions and having his anger become irrational hate.

F) Assuming that we should not be fighting against Muslim extremists.

"...and, yes Jim, I know I'm typing words in yr mouth. See how you like it."

Well hey, I know by now that no matter what I say, I'll always be "Jim The Racist Bigot Homophobe" in your eyes; because you guys on the left have to force us conservatives into that mold in order to be able to accept your beliefs.

"tim the heathen socialist"

Jim the sold out champion of Christ and the unborn, pride swallower, and lover of truth.

Jim

LDVoyager

#37  30 March 2008 - 02:06

 

".... oh, and exactly who are these 'normal' people of which you speak? I'm guessing it's people who think the way you think, right?"

I work with an undecided guy. He doesn't trust Obama now due to his pastor's rantings. If its between McCain and Obma, he's leaning towards McCain.

The pastor's rantings were fine to you guys on the left, becuase that's waht you've all always believed. But now that its exposed, some people are going to be thinking twice about voting Democrat.

See, the dynamic is that liberals have to hide who they are. If they were able to be themselves, they would all be ranting like you on the message boards, and like Jeremiah Writght. But they have to hide it, because they know that it is a big turn-off to people.

But us on the religious right, are proud of who we are, and what we stand for, and if people are not going to like what we say, we will be happy to discuss it rationally with them.

There is nothing to be ashamed of when truth, goodness, and sincerity are your aims.

Liberals don't even believe the things they say, but they have deified their pride and hatred, so that logic is nothing they want to deal with.

With all respect, that might be part of why you're in some of the mental/emotional pickles that you are in.

If you just put truth and reality first, and don't complicate it with pride, bitterness, etc. , then you tend to feel some living waters flowing through you. Probably has something to do with Truth being a person, not just a concept.

Jim

LDVoyager

#38  30 March 2008 - 02:18

 

"Actually Jim's lack of self control got the best of him and he made a snotty comment in the middle of a conversation I was having w/a friend on another motime blog..."

Baloney; the bet is still on. I said I wouldn't post on YOUR board, so as not to interrupt the pot-suckin' , headband wearin', Rolling Stone magazine worshipping leftist festivals that you like to have with your buddies on your board.

Anywhere else, I'll say whatever I want.

Jim

LDVoyager

#39  30 March 2008 - 14:58

 

The lovefest returns to Burning Light!

:P

burninglight

#40  30 March 2008 - 15:06

 

Hey I just read in a book that teasing is not a good thing.

So, I apologize for saying

"so as not to interrupt the pot-suckin' , headband wearin', Rolling Stone magazine worshipping leftist festivals".

I'm gonna try and ease up on stuff like that. Besides I'm sure that only the "Rolling Stone magazine worshipping" part is probably the only part that might have at least a slight bit of truth to it. Its just a figure of speech for saying "Byrnes is more into rock and roll than God."

Jim

LDVoyager

#41  30 March 2008 - 21:41

 

(Carl, my apologies and this will be my last word. But remember, he started it. tb)

"Jim The Racist Bigot Homophobe"
If the shoe fits, buckle it.

"D) Assuming that standing for Israel is not noble. "

Imperialists of a feather stick together.
F) Assuming that we should not be fighting against Muslim extremists.

Only because it's easier than facing the reasons they're mad at us. Pull the troops out this shit stops immediateley.

"E) Assuming that standing for Farrakhan is good, when he is known for espousing irrational conclusions and having his anger become irrational hate.
Some things are worth hating like institutionilized racism and the politics of fear.

"See, the dynamic is that liberals have to hide who they are. If they were able to be themselves, they would all be ranting like you on the message boards, and like Jeremiah Writght. But they have to hide it, because they know that it is a big turn-off to people"
Justice is not a polpularity contest and the truth hurts.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of when truth, goodness, and sincerity are your aims. "
Not to mention billions in armament and oil money pulled of the backs of dead youth into the coffers of the super rich.

And Rolling Stone hasn't been worth the paper it's printed on since 1972.
tb

timbyrnes

#42  31 March 2008 - 00:23

 

"If the shoe fits, buckle it."

Entertainment mode does not serve truth, reality, or happiness.


"Imperialists of a feather stick together."

Wrong. Anti-terrorists of a feather stick together.


"Only because it's easier than facing the reasons they're mad at us. Pull the troops out this shit stops immediateley."

Is it possible that they should face the reason that our troops are there in the first place?

"Some things are worth hating like institutionilized racism and the politics of fear."

Absolutely true. However, let's be an honest judge of where institutionalized racism and the politics of fear are really and truly coming from.



"Justice is not a popularity contest and the truth hurts."

Very true. The only way to get at truth is to bring our cards to the table and analyze them. Is that something that you have demonstrated a willingness to do. Personally, I welcome an objective and factual analysis of my beliefs. How about you?


"Not to mention billions in armament and oil money pulled of the backs of dead youth into the coffers of the super rich."

Not to mention a Middle East free of being dicated by terrorists, and a safer world as a result.

Regarding the portion of your statement "money pulled off the backs of dead youth into the coffers of the super rich", please consider your statement in the context of the green-backed god of choice, that you so adamantly defend.

"And Rolling Stone hasn't been worth the paper it's printed on since 1972."

You're just sore about their review of Berlin, that's all. ;-)

http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/loureed/albums/album/260309/review/5944275/berlin

It must have really hit a raw nerve on the reviewer.

Kind of reminds me of your responses to my posts. :-D ;-)

Jim

LDVoyager

#43  31 March 2008 - 01:07

 

Well I hope I have struck a nerve, baby, ;cause I'm all about doubt. Also elsewhere on that Rolling Stone page shpould be my response to their review under readers reviews.



Sorry, Carl.

timbyrnes

#44  31 March 2008 - 01:56

 

I don't see your response there, yet. Maybe it had to go through a review process first.

Jim

LDVoyager

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