+1 Don ...
and to quote Kenny Chesney "Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to go now"
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kennychesney/everybodywantstogotoheaven.html

I choose to believe that my talents, whatever they might be, are a gift from God, and that He wants me to share them with others ... that's why I perform on gigs or at home, and sing loudly in Church ... - I've actually had a number of people tell me I should join the choir - ...hmmm, maybe they just want me out of the pew behind them ...

Well not necessarily. Me personally, I would want to know more about where it is I'm going. I mean, stuff like,
1. Is it even in this universe? If yes, where? If no, where?
2. What's the climate like there?
3. Is my ex-wife or mother-in-law going to be there?
4. Is everyone equal there? I mean, if I barely squeak in, will I have the same status as Mother Theresa, MLK, the Pope, Gandhi, Michelangelo, St. Peter, Lady Gaga?
5. How do I actually get there? Wormhole? Starship? etc.?
6. How long is the trip?
7. More importantly, is it going to start soon.
8. If I don't make it, will I suffer as much as say Hitler, Idi Amin, Jack the Ripper, Milli Vanilli?

Inquiring minds want to know. Or maybe not.



chas

Two ninety year old men, Joe and Sam, have been friends all their lives. It seems that Sam is dying, and Joe comes to visit him every day.

"Sam," says Joe, "You know how we have both loved baseball all our lives, and how we played minor league ball together for so many years. Sam, you have to do me one favor. When you get to Heaven, and I know you will go to Heaven, somehow you've got to let me know if there's baseball in Heaven."
Jesus playing baseball
Sam looks up at Joe from his death bed, and says, "Joe, you've been my best friend many years. If it is at all possible, I'll do this favor for you." And shortly after that, Sam passes on.

It is midnight a couple of nights later. Joe is sound asleep when he is awakened by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calls out to him, "Joe.... Joe...."

"Who is it?" says Joe sitting up suddenly. "Who is it?"

"Joe, it's me, Sam."

"Come on. You're not Sam. Sam just died."

"I'm telling you," insists the voice. "It's me, Sam!"

"Sam? Is that you? Where are you?"

"I'm in heaven," says Sam, "and I've got to tell you, I've got really good news and a little bad news."

"So, tell me the good news first," says Joe.

"The good news," says Sam "is that there is baseball in heaven. Better yet, all our old buddies who've gone before us are there. Better yet, we're all young men again. Better yet, it's always spring time and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play baseball all we want, and we never get tired!"

"Really?" says Joe, "That is fantastic, wonderful beyond my wildest dreams!
But, what's the bad news?"

"You're pitching next Tuesday."

Terrific post Don. I loved it!

God Bless,
Don

As Bosnian/Canadian I played so many times for Croatian Chatolic Church or Serbian Orthodox Church or many many times I played for Bosnian Mosque.And basically in all of them I am something like honorable member.I always tried to help especially when any of them are raising money to help back home.And I always will.But, it ends there for me .

Chas........do you actually play an instrument or are you here just to break the b#%@'s of those who post? Do you consider yourself judge and jury and prosecutor? Does every post here have to meet with YOUR approval and YOUR standards? Does everyone have to "check in" with you to ensure their post meets with your criteria?

I was under the assumption Nigel monitored everything. Now if I'm wrong about that, please advise me so that, in the future, I consult with you instead of relying on Nigel's wisdom in what should and should not be posted.

There's a saying in the Christian world: "Evil men can't sleep at night until they've done their misdeeds for the day." You can take that any way you want to.

MARK

Don......thanks for the laugh.....I needed that after going into battle with Chas!

That joke was so FUNNY, buy I was more impressed with the fact that you typed that all out.....without a single mistake...unless you were using "Dragon?" Even Chas couldn't find fault with that post!

MARK

That joke is older than Don - and he's almost as old as me.

All the best,

Gary

Mark,

You don't seem to know anything about Chas. He's one of the two greatest guys on the forum. Yes, he plays an instrument (better than most SZ members) and he has a heart of gold. You see, while you guy praise your god or whatever you call him, Chas is actually out there in the trenches helping those that are needy. And, guess what, you don't need to be religious to do that.

It always amazes me how quickly "friends" turn on each other here whenever they disagree. Don't call people "friends" unless you actually are their friend or have an inkling of what it entails.

Just be a little patient. Another week or two and you'd all be wishing each other a happy new year. Then again, it's only words...

This has always worked for me...

�Live a good life.

If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by.

If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them.

If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.� ...attributed to Marcus Aurelius .


Any musical talent I have was a product of the home environment I grew up in, as the aunts and uncles who raised me after my adopted Mum and Dad were killed in a car accident on Xmas Eve when I was a little boy, were all musically gifted and they fully supported my interest in music.

They were secularists, and, although I was given complete freedom in choosing a religious doctrine for myself, I found their rational and humanistic code of ethics quite suitable, and in spite of their disbelief in the "supernatural", they instilled in me a true sense of wonder for music in its many forms.

I am very grateful to them for these valuable gifts that were given so freely and unselfishly and have imbued my life with so much happiness and peace.

Ian