Paradise Café Discussions A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

I thought the "think tank" was a good thing! I wasn't a participant cuz it didn't fit in with my schedule; but I heard some very good things about it from those who did participate. So what's up with this month-long interlude? Remember...there are those who are anticipating that this will fall apart. Don't let it happen. Two or three gathered in Jesus' name is a force to be dealt with!

gus

How did you know I've been absent from the 'meetings' for a month??? Have you been showing up and I missed it?
Thanks for the reminder, gus, and the short trip. I'll do my darndest to get there at 5:30 tonite. You do the same and I'll see you there!

I reckon I should have said before now and made my apologies, instead of everyone wondering... so sorry.

I've been SOOO busy lately - when I come inside I'm shocked that it's so late and we haven't eaten yet... There's always so darn much to do this time of year - plus - I'm just a terrible time manager! Add to that my arm thing that's going on right now - it takes me 10X longer to get things accomplished while I baby and restrict that arm. Being on the computer - using the mouse - gets to be very painful after a very short while. (Rodney and my MIL are convinced I'll need that rotor-cuff surgery!) PLUS Rodney's working weekends and each day seems to run into the others in such a time warp-ish way and has totally screwed-up our sleep pattern. When I can sleep that is, because my arm HURTS! Arggghhh! (all right already - I'm making an appointment Monday...)The sum total of it all is me being a bit scarce at this point in time - from the board and from the studies. Scarce doesn't equal gone though! You people are such an intrinsic part of me and my day - and always in my thoughts and prayers. We're really never absent 'in spirit'...

Please know that I miss you all so much and can't wait to get back into the swing of things - soon - very soon. 'Cause I'm gonna pull up everything left in my garden! Haha! It seems to suck every minute of thought, time, energy and patience right out of me - even tho' I always start out in such a gung-ho fashion. At least that will be over for another season(but in a few months I'll be looking so forward to it all over again, lol. ) and the great thing is my pantry and freezer are chock full of the fruits(and vegetables!) of my labors and the bounty of God's goodness. Well, that's my story - now what's everyone else's excuse, hmmm? Lol

... as for whomever lowers themselves to such a 'low sink' to wish bad things upon even one of God's children I say:
No, no, NO - don't do that!
There's not one biblical instance where Jesus wanted anything bad for anyone, and he took no pleasure or satisfaction in anyone's failings - the perfect reflection of God's mind on the matter. Rather, he knew the outcome of their present condition and he grieved, wept and prayed for them to turn around. He taught the Word, and when they didn't listen, he showed them the true spirit of the Word.
He's spelled it out pretty plainly that what he wants is for us to emulate him with love, hope, forgiveness, peace, and righteous thoughts and actions - that's 'The Way' to please our Heavenly Father. It's just not possible to glorify Him while cursing one of His other children.
If we'll be judged in the same manner we're judging others who also love God - then we'd better get a good grip on that right now! Sometimes it seems so hard to do, but with the spirit's help we can always do better - and - it gets easier with each new effort.

~Peace~Love~Forgiveness~
Your sister[be-there-or-be-square]Willa

Guilty as charged I'm afraid.

‘As for the one planted among the thistles, this one hears the word, but the concerns of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke-out the Word and he doesn’t produce fruit. But, as for the one planted on good soil, he hears the Word, understands it, and actually puts out fruit… this one a hundred, that one sixty, the other thirty.’

"The concerns of life" now THAT'S MY PROBLEM (excuse).
It's easy in this egocentric world to forget that we are a part of the composite body of Christ, when we miss the discussions for trivial reasons is it loving towards those who volunteer their time to facilitate the discussions, or the room itself?

So as our dear friend & sister Willa said: "be-there-or-be-square"!
I'm afraid to say that I will be a square if I attend the discussions or not, but maybe those four edges of mine could be smoothed off a little if I make the effort to support the discussions more?

Maybe, during the great tribulation, we wont always have the luxury of being able to freely discuss God's word as we do/can now?
I will do my best to make the most of the spiritual liberty that those of us in the west do (or should that be; can) enjoy.

"See" you there tonight!

Agape Johnny

Good!

I won't be there because I work on Sunday evenings...but I'm glad to hear someone will! What's the topic?

gus

I think its going to be: Bride of Christ/Body of Christ the same thing or not?

Agape Johnny

Thanks for the reminder. I comment very little but enjoy the gathering together and also learn much. The last couple of weeks I look up and it is way past the time I should be there. I believe it is a time managemnt problem for me also. I will try to log on today but have been having a cursor problem. It keeps freezing and I have been trying to remedy it (seems to be working now). The freedom to study together without restriction of a WT publication is awesome. I am on the west coast so I will be there in the afternoon.

Willa I hope you have your arm wrapped up good to give it support and it helps relieve the pain sometimes.

Pariter mea culpa.

Gus will correct my Latin.
My excuse is moniter has been down; I have been down; no money; no work; worried about kids; me; the mortgage; the tenants.......er but I will try to be there.

Hi Vicky wow--what a list for which I am so sorry... things have to get better soon--don't you think? and you are in my prayers Vicky