Hi Gary,

It's not how we believe it to be - it is how it is & that's why we proclaim it. Oh, how thankful I am for Him to allow my eyes to be opened to see how it is. Gary, you are not a young man anymore, & neither am I. Both of us will know soon what was true & what not. Time has a way of telling... There are currently more than eight million recorded instances of near death experiences in the USA alone. Those recordings by professionals speaks volumes to anyone interested.

Me & Monica's job description is spelled out for us in Jude1:23 and that we'll fervently do as long as there is breath in us.

But alas, let's get back to the topic, shall we? I think I've said more than my share on this. Let's go back & talk music instead.

Cheers my friend,

Henni

Henni, you were doing so well there for a while. I have no problem with you and your wife helping those that need help....I try to do the same and have tried to instill that concept in my children. It's the 'other' stuff that causes the problems. Why can't we just be good human beings because centuries of human experience have taught us that 'loving thy neighbor' beats the heck out of 'killing thy neighbor' and that in helping others, we may well see that help returned one day ("pass it forward"). I just feel that we can do this without necessarily being 'touched' by Him, our imaginary friend.

The pictures are touching, to be sure, but I can't help but reflect on how these people came to be in that situation in the first place. Isn't it ironic that the man who wrote Amazing Grace was a slave ship captain? Or that these people live in a country that has probably the most natural wealth on the planet. Golly gee, wonder what happened there. Of course, you can come over here and visit some of our 'Native American' reservations and I can show you some pretty good parallels. Of course we let a handful of them 'appear' to own a couple of casinos, so I guess that makes everthing alright and all is forgiven. At least they got to keep their own religion (which tends to favor Nature over the Holy Trinity or the only blond, blue-eyed, Nordic type born in the Middle East .

My (unsolicited) advice; keep up the good humanitarian work but think of it as a stopgap. What's really needed is EDUCATION - you know, "teach a man to fish.......etc.". Look, I DO believe your heart is in the right place. I just think when you feed somebody it should be because they are hungry, not because you want to 'save their souls'. JMO, of course.

chas

Gary, what a pleasant supprise. Although I've always considered an Agnostic and Atheist without the courage of their convictions, you're half way there, buddy. A few more of those green margaritas (for clarity) and you may soon be able to join the ranks of the truly enlightened . You know, like me and Ian .

Sounds like your 'jam' was a lot of fun. Hope everyone got home safely. First time I'd heard Joe sing; I was very impressed. A very talented guy.

chas

Hi Chas,

We are NOT humanitarians - we are evangelists and proud of it! And NO! They do not merely own a few casinos over here. You should come visit & see for yourself mate. I think you'll be both shocked and surprized at what you'll find. But lets not go there...

Although I have much more to say on the topic in question & love nothing more than to discuss this to the fullest with anyone interested, I do not want to be the cause for Nigel to step in. I think I've said enough for now.

Cheers my friend,

Henni

If you want to discuss further, Henni, why not take it to The Bar?

Nothing wrong with this kind of discussion, in the right place.

My opinion, of course.

Ian

Not to worry Ian,

I'm done. That's unless anyone WANT to discuss it over there. Then I'm all for it. I like a challenge.

However, over here let's continue to discuss music in relation to ones "higher power". I've given my take on it...

Cheers,

Henni

Thanks Henni.

Ian

Since I love discussing the disastrous effects of Religion on society over the last millennium, I have started a new thread in The Bar.

chas

Oh, almost forgot. On behalf of all the miscreants who contributed to the southward direction of this thread, our sincere apologies to Mark79100, the OP. And yes, I play to my Higher Power all the time, but I'm not saying who SHE is.

chas

God bless you, Henni (and Monica). I want to recognize your wonderful loving spirit and to encourage you. God is doing great work in you and through you.

Thank you also, for speaking so passionately about what you are involved in. Like Don, I believe that everything you said was interesting, appropriate and within the context of the topic.

Blessings