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That was cool...

Look at my profile pic...that is what happens when you go on a hunger strike...just saying...

I read a Reuters article today...it stated that even though the country is pessimistic about its current situation (bad economy), 49% of the people in America still want Obama while 42% want Romney. Then it said 1100 people were polled! 1100 people out of 300,000,000...are you serious??? I fell out of my chair...

Let me start by saying I have three children...one is adopted...and I have four grandkids...my point being I am NOT arguing your point, Bama. I absolutely agree with you about no child being born my mistake or accident. What I'd like to state is that sometimes when I listen to the news (watch it on TV, whatever), I wonder about the children who are tossed in dumpsters, locked up in closets and starved, abused by predators, etc., etc. Those types of incidents make it tough to reconcile God's Word about "purpose." I know "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.," but it still can be tough to wrap one's head around it...

I found this: http://www.securities.arkansas.gov/!userfiles/Consent%20Order%20C-11-0216-11-OR01.pdf Not much info, but a start I suppose...

You seem to be a lover of music... Have you listened to any Portuguese music? The genre is called "Fado" and there is some pretty good artists. I am unsure on how to post links, but if this works you ought to check it out: If the link doesn't work, the artist is Madredeus and the song is Ao Longe O Mar. You should be able to find it on YouTube. Enjoy!

Let me start by saying I constantly struggle with my faith (a personal matter)...so my statements are not intended to correct or chastise anyone. They are more of a reflection of what goes on in my mind when I ponder things spiritual. With that said, if we "just leave it at that" as you suggest, what do we do with the rest of the Bible? If one agrees that the Bible is The Word of God, aren't all of His Words important? Yes, we need to love one another and help out whenever possible...but we also need to know what is "right" and what is "wrong" from God's perspective so we can attempt to live a life that is "right." To me, this is how one honors the God they claim to believe in and love---by living a life that reflects the things He is pleased with. He is not pleased with sin...and if the Bible says homosexuality is sinful, does that mean we reject God's view on it? I don't see how that is possible, no matter how much you love your neighbor. I can disagree with the homosexual lifestyle and still love my neighbor (even if he or she is ***).

I wonder why someone from Australia would come to Washington, D.C. to join a protest that has nothing to do with Australia?

Since everyone in the IQD world knows who Ali is, we are now all well connected, making everyone of us a guru! Oh yeah! Seriously...I think this is pretty cool. Thanks for the post!

I've followed his tweets for almost a year now...not once has he mentioned the IQD so I'm not sure how he could be labeled a "guru" or a "pumper." I also follow two reporters for NPR who follow him...and both reporters have been on the radio numerous times discussing the Middle East (mainly Syria). My point is, they are legit and they claim Allawi is who he says he is.

My first job after getting out of the Marines in 1978 paid $7.00 per hour in Houston, TX. As a single guy, I could actually live on this as long as I put in 40 hours or more (which I did). Sure couldn't do it today...one reason I became a business owner. I cannot fathom someone trying to live on minimum wage, but there is something to be said about keeping it low...it should motivate one to move up in the world of work.

When I joined the Marines, I had to stay clean shaven...no judge had to force me to do that. While this murderer was in the Army, he stayed clean shaven because that is the military way. It seems so odd that now that he is in jail (and still in the Army), his captives can't shave him without a judges order. There is something not quite right about that...

Thanks for sharing...that was very interesting, and I must say exciting to a certain degree. Because I hold IQD, I find it difficult to not look at most news articles without connecting the story to the IQD someway, somehow. This has a great connection! Thanks again...

This is insane...49% of our population is receiving handouts. Today Rand Paul stated more people signed up for disability this month than people who found a job. This figure shows we have had a problem for decades...POTUS should be addressing this issue, but I believe the blame for this issue should be shared by Congress (both parties), POTUS, and the people who sign up for the handouts. I hope we the people vote out those in office who won't do anything (other than enrich their personal bank account and gripe about the "other side") and replace them with people like Rep. Justin Amash (MI)...a young whippersnapper who has yet to miss a single vote and who explains every single vote he casts. And I wish the American people as a whole would understand that a life of work is so much more productive and rewarding than a life of handouts.

There were 87 Democrats who voted for this bill...which means all in all it was a landslide (way more than 2/3 majority). I'd like to hear the arguments of those who voted against it. With all the corruption that is being exposed in the banking industry worldwide right now, it is incredulous that anyone in Congress would vote to NOT audit arguably the biggest financial institution in the world.

This is definitely not the place to learn about the Bible (or the God of the Bible)...it is a good place to toss around opinions, advice, and such. Here is one of my opinions---don't live a life of fear! Try to live a life of thankfulness, joyfulness, compassion, giving and sharing. A life of expectancy (expect good things all the time). If you love life and love those who you have influence over, you actually accomplish a Biblical statute---love your neighbor as yourself. As far as finding God...well, He will find you when the time comes as long as you are searching for Him. That sounds contrary, but from my experience, that is how it works...search for Him, live your life with joy, and out of nowhere He will reveal Himself (usually when you least expect it). Like I said, this site is not a good place to learn about God...the best place to learn that is by personally reading the Bible. Oh, it can be extremely confusing at times, but for the most part, the Bible explains itself. You'll see where it teaches that God is indeed merciful. He is compassionate. He listens to and enjoys answering prayer. He will answer if you knock. He never breaks a promise. Also, I've learned from experience that He answers things (prayer, questions, etc.) in His time and not necessarily in the manner I want to hear/see an answer...but He answers nonetheless. He is a rock that one can anchor too...and again, from experience, if your are rooted and grounded in your spiritual life, all other aspects of life (no matter the circumstance) are typically enjoyed! Again, that sounds contrary, but it works...

My sister home schooled her two daughters...both are college graduates and fine, upstanding women. I also have have many friends who are (or have been) involved in home schooling. My point is, I have yet to meet anyone who has regretted home schooling their children. If you decide to go that route, here is a great website owned by a lady who is currently homeschooling her children. She writes blogs, etc., about her experiences and I think you may enjoy it: http://gratefulforgrace.com/ Good luck!

Ricky...if you are speaking directly to me, please don't fret. I'm not trying to disprove the Bible...I don't doubt it is the written Word of God. I am stating I do not understand it...as I grow older, I seem to come upon more questions than answers. I read/study the NKJV although I do like the NASB also. My debates on Dinar Vets (off topic) are meant to share experiences/thoughts of mine when it comes to things of God and hopefully find other's points of view to be helpful. On a more personal note, a little over 20 years ago (almost 25 now) I found myself at the bottom of the ladder so to speak. I did not believe in the God of the Bible at that time...yet, I did believe there must be a god of some sort (I believe in creation vs. big bang). I prayed daily for eight years for this "god" to direct me to the truth...it was a long journey but long story short, He lead me to Christ. From that point on I have grown in knowledge and understanding...until about four years ago where I hit a huge faith-shaking road block. I fall back to His promises...I will never leave you nor forsake you (even though at times I "feel" forsaken by Him). I also reflect back on people like Martin Luther...he suffered times of doubt so bad he became ill. But back to my point...don't fret about me and my spiritual condition---I am not out to "prove" God's word is wrong...I'm simply trying to get a deeper understanding of it (and thus, Him). :D

Yes, I have read and studied many articles, books, theologians, etc., as to the reliability of the Bible...but lets not forget the early Roman Catholic Church canonized the Bible and included the Apocrypha...which later "reformers" decided to un-canonize. My point being, today's Catholics and some (if not most) Orthodox Christians believe the Apocrypha is part of the Bible, while today's Protestants accept the canonicity by the RCC of the Bible as long as the Apocrypha is not included...so how is one to decide which is biblical and which isn't? How does a manuscript become unBiblical? So I am right back to where I started...you quote Scripture and you can define each verse as saying a certain thing. I can take those same passages of Scripture and find "men of God" who will define them differently! I'm not arguing with you about their validity...I'm just stating that it is very difficult to decide what is really being said. I typically fall back on "His ways are not my ways...His thoughts are not my thoughts."

Hump? What hump? BTW, I read an article last week that stated the DOJ had 65 agents working in the very same building for three years and did not or could not see this coming. We must need more regulators, right?

Personally, I think being tormented eternally is the worse form of punishment imaginable. Ceasing to exist is a form of punishment when compared to "eternal life in heaven," but if you take the comparison out of the picture, it isn't really a punishment. In other words, those who believe in and accept Jesus while they live in physical, human form will receive the "gift" of eternal life. Those who don't believe and accept Jesus wil be "punished" by not being given the gift of life. When I question various doctrinal belief systems or ideologies from the Christian faith, I often get chastised for not believing everything I am told is "truth." It has been my experience that most Christians believe in eternal torment for all non-believers...and this includes those who have lived/died and never heard of Jesus. From my study of the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that eternal torment is not for any man, woman or child. If one believes and accepts, one is rewarded with life ever after. If one denies, one is rewarded(?)...or should I say "receives"?...death ever after. Those who live see this as a punishment...those who die are not capable of seeing it for they no longer exist. I say what I say from my study of the Bible...but let me also say I am often "confused" when it comes to things of the Bible...we do not have the original texts. What we have are copies of copies that have been dissected by theologians over centuries of time. This causes me to be suspect of my very own belief system! My point is I find it difficult at best to defend my beliefs...and thus I cannot in good conscience condemn someone who does not believe like I believe. I am not stating you (Ron) have condemned me...I'm just explaining my beliefs so you might understand where I am coming from. Amen...very uplifting. It is so easy to get distracted (at least in my world)...

yep..it was

Ron...who is God "proving" all of this too? His own creations? I find it strange that a being who creates life feels compelled to have to prove anything to that very creation. And if that said creation doesn't believe this proof? Eternal punishment? So God creates life...He then feels compelled to prove a point to this created life...and if His created life chooses to not believe the evidence it is condemned to an eternal torment for ever? And on another point, it seems this "free will" or this gift of "choice" is a bit over rated---I mean if I utilize my free will and choose not to believe, I'm condemned to be tormented forever because of my "free" choice. Somehow I don't see how that is a "free" choice...its like having a gun to my head---choose Me or I pull the trigger and you die.

Thanks for your post...I do appreciate the effort and time you put into sharing your knowledge. There is so much information available which makes it a time consuming task filtering through it all. I happen to believe the currency exchange will be a profitable one (no lobster here), so I enjoy reading your articles. Thanks again...

Exactly! Countless people "feel led" by "God's word," yet, there are uncountable versions of the Bible available today with ZERO originals. With all the "choices" available, it is no wonder that battles have raged for centuries over doctrine, creed, etc. Gee whiz, how many various denominations of the Christian church are in existence...all claiming the same God? How does that work? It seems the Bible is man's attempt to explain who/what God is...and while the attempt is noble, God is still shrouded in a sense of mystery that (in my opinion) will never go away.