Oklahoma Howdy to TwoBombs,

I might join in a very friendly discussion, but I've decided to never debate it again. I found out that some brothers and sisters in Christ got angry and others got hurt feelings. I'm partly responsible for that and ask forgiveness.

The absolute JOY is us spending eternity with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. The when and how of the tribulation period should not be allowed to spoil this joy and fellowship between brothers and sisters in Christ.

Bible prophecy is still an area of interest and study for me, but I've seen what it can do in harming fellowship.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I just want to say my dog is really small. It is mini-Chihuahua.     I think its weight is about 6-8lbs.  300 lbs dog is like a big giant to my dog.  kiki

Oklahoma Howdy to Faith1210,

My biggest dog I ever owned was an Australian Shepherd. I don't know what his final weight was, but he was a fairly big boy. He was about as gentle and loving as a dog can be, and he thought he was a lap dog. It was really funny watching him try to fit in our laps. He had congenital heart failure at just the age of six. He was in a lot of pain, and we had to put him to sleep. We miss him but still have two elderly little guys to keep us company. One is working on 14 and the other on 13. Both are in the category of about 20 lbs. and are pure-breed mutts, but they are part of the family.

We've never been without dogs, and I doubt we ever will. Unconditional love is addicting. This would be a tiny comparison if we were talking about the Love of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Once HIS love is experienced, there is no comparison.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello RichardElchrist,

If you are a part of the new Kerry reach out to Christians campaign, it won't work and it's a waste of time. I think that most of us have seen enough actions and heard enough words from Kerry and Bush to make up our minds. This is not to imply that Bush is a wonderful Christian, but it would imply a void of Biblical morals on the part of Kerry.

I really don't need any spins, commentary, or views from partisan or non-partisan web sites, news agencies, or special interest groups. I've heard and seen more than enough from the candidates themselves. The analogy that Bush may be a wolf in sheep's clothing would go in one ear and out the other. I already know that he is far from being a strong Christian. The analogy that Kerry may be the devil in ACLU's clothing is my personal observation that I didn't need any help with.

If there was a third ticket with more Biblical views I would consider voting for them. I would first be concerned about whether they had a chance of winning, and who would get the benefit of a split vote. If I concluded the third ticket didn't have a chance and Kerry would benefit from a split vote, I would vote for Bush. I would have the same concerns for any existing fourth and fifth tickets.

Most of us have heard the stories of the past so many times that they go in one ear and out the other. Most of us have also heard and seen the political machines for what they are - political machines.

I will listen, with interest, what the candidates themselves say. The same will be true of the candidates actions. I have almost no interest in spin, hype, and the messages of the political machines and news media. I'm sorry to be repetitive - the political machines and news media are spin and hype.

I will pay considerable attention to documented stands of the candidates that I have heard and seen for myself. Abortion will be one of those stands. Someone defending or promoting abortion wouldn't get my vote for dog catcher, much less a vote for President of the United States.

I also paid considerable attention to views on a strong military, and more specifically, providing for the needs of our young men and women serving us. I've heard their words and seen their actions from the candidates themselves. In my completely BIASED opinion, Kerry has no concern for either.

I will and have paid considerable attention to morals and Biblical values. In my completely BIASED opinion, Kerry has none.

If other Christians have opinions as BIASED as mine as, very few Christians will vote for Kerry. Regarding our Armed Services and providing for those who protect our way of life, Kerry serves our enemies. I realize that's my completely BIASED opinion, but that won't change. It's an absolute fact that Kerry voted to send our young men and women to war. It's also an absolute fact that Kerry later voted "NO" to buy supplies our young men and women fighting needed to survive. I saw and heard the spin and lies from his own mouth in trying to explain this. "I actually voted yes but I later voted no." This took my single digit respect for Kerry far into negative numbers. There is no explanation, and I'm not interested in the attempt.

I apologize for being so shy on this matter.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello Felix,

The burden of care and prayer belongs to all of us. I have no doubt at all that hosts of Christians pray for those who have expressed needs here. They might not always post, and some of them aren't even forum members, but they still pray. Rest and spiritual renewing is necessary for all of us.

I heard President Bush on the news the other day, and he said that he felt the prayers of millions every day and appreciated them.

Felix, put your burdens at the feet of Jesus and rest for awhile.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Reba & Dreamweaver,

Thank you sincerely for your prayers. I will be back and forth to various medical facilities over the next several weeks for some tests. I don't even know what some of the tests are.

I had a near fatal infection in my spine in 1998. It took several years to see the final results, as calcium production was the body's natural defense, and it is still growing. That's why I retired in 2001, and I've had quite a few ups and downs during that time. To make a long story short, I've lost nearly all mobility and am having a real hard time right now with pain. Some of the tests will hopefully determine if the infection is back and what treatments might be available. I'll probably need some sort of surgery, but my biggest prayer is that the infection isn't back. I'd rather be back in police work and going to a gunfight than think about that infection.

I have been seeing my kids and grandkids as often as I can, so I have been out of pocket from time to time. I started the tests today, and I guess the really big one will be on August 3rd. If you don't hear from me within several days, it will mean I'm in the hospital. I'll try to keep you posted, and I would sincerely appreciate your prayers. I'm scared, but I'm ready for whatever Jesus has for me.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Bravo1zero,

From (Sierra34 - Retired)

Brother, I was very fortunate to serve 25 years in a department nearly all Christians. Nearly all of the shifts started each day with prayer and reading a portion from the Holy Bible. It was also normal to have prayer before going on dangerous assignments. We were required to allow those to leave who did not wish to participate. I can't imagine police work without Jesus. Nearly all of us carried Bibles in our cars, and they were used often. We were told to always ask the people in need if they would allow us to read a portion of Scripture or have prayer with them. I can't remember a single time that anyone said no. I'm absolutely positive that God solved some extremely dangerous situations, many were calmed, and many received some peace in a time of grief.

Maybe there are others on your force that feel the same way you do. You might not even know about them, especially if your department is very large. You could start an off-duty Christian Officers Association in your area if your department does not allow on-duty Christian activities (i.e. prayer, Bible reading). You might also be surprised if you asked to pray before going on a particularly dangerous assignment. Even if the answer was "No", it just might open the door for another officer to approach you later. They might not allow you to pray publicly, but they can't stop you from praying privately or on the way to the mission.

Brother, you do need to find a church for much of the support and encouragement you need. It would be wonderful if you could help other officers come to Christ. Even if you are the sole Christian on the department, you can and should know that Jesus is with you on everything that you do.

Dear Heavenly Father, give our brother courage to follow his convictions. We ask that you give him guidance and wisdom to find or start the fellowship he is hungry for. Jesus, we ask that you provide a Light for his path and show him the way that would be most pleasing to you. Jesus, we ask for encouragement to yield completely to YOU and enjoy the peace YOU have for each of Your children. Lord, we ask that you help our brother serve you in his work and bring him home safely each night to his family. We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.  Amen
__________

Love In Christ,
Tom

[And maybe the participants wash each other's feet before the debate begins.]

    Group hugs in the debate area?  

     And maybe the participants wash each other's feet before the debate begins.  

That might start things in a humble and loving way. YEP!, that would do it.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

Carlos,

On a second cycle of thousands of users, you are the first to mention this as a potential problem. For my two cents worth, it isn't a problem or a quirk of any kind. So, we can agree to disagree.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Carlos123 Said:

One other point Tom.  If indeed this is being caused by the way your forum handles cookies it encourages actions which are worse from a security standpoint.  Both for your forum and for visitors to it.  For I and others will just be tempted to stay logged in and keep a browser window opened all day to the forum on screen.  So that we might not have to log in every time we want to be taken to the last posts in threads we are following.  

I would highly suggest you review your cookie processing procedures to make visiting the forum less of a chore Tom.  

Carlos

Carlos,

This isn't my forum. I'm just a volunteer here. The server and forum software is owned and maintained by ADMIN. I don't know what all of the concerns are, but I don't think that logging on is any big deal to enhance information exchange with the CU Server. I don't speak for ADMIN, but I seriously doubt this will be changed. The CU Server provides dynamic and changing content for thousands of Christian web sites, much more than just the users of the forum. There are large portions of Christians Unite designed to give full service to anonymous masses and other portions designed to give full service to identified members.

Regarding where the notice takes you, it takes you to the first new post in that thread, not the last. Further, if you don't click that notice, you won't get further notices on the same thread. I doubt it is any big concern to set the forum software to take commands from unknown computers. I'm glad it's not my problem to worry about all the security aspects of such a large system.

If the few seconds of logging on is a bother to you, I suggest you use RoboForm or some other program to log on for you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[HUGS!!!]

2nd Timothy Said:

BEP, can I take that to mean trib talk should have no bearing on fellowship, or no place in fellowship?  I'm pretty sure you meant the prior, but just wanted to clarify that  

Grace and Peace!

Brother,

Maybe I needed a second cup of coffee. You are absolutely correct. The matter of joy is spending eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is an absolute reality for those who have Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This shared JOY should be the basis of fellowship. The "when and how" of the tribulation period should not be allowed to spoil our shared JOY.

Brother, let me get a third cup of coffee. Love and fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ is a necessity for me.  So:

HUGS!!!

Love In Christ,
Tom

[LET'S PAY IT, KEEP PAYING IT, AND HOLD EACH OTHER UP DURING THE ASSAULT THAT IS SURE TO COME!]

Oklahoma Howdy to SincereHeart,

Sister, thanks for the article about character. There once was a time in America where all leaders were expected to stand up for morals and Biblical principles. Sadly, much of the news media grinds many of those people up and spits them out now.

I was just thinking about this. It is easy to knock this person down and beat him or her up pretty badly unless others stand behind them, prop them up, or pick them up. It sure would be nice to hear a roar of support for what America used to demand in just about all professions. It is almost a given now that the opposite is true most of the time. If there is a cost associated with standing up for Jesus and Biblical principles, LET'S PAY IT, KEEP PAYING IT, AND HOLD EACH OTHER UP DURING THE ASSAULT THAT IS SURE TO COME!

Love in Christ,
Tom

Hello Carlos123,

The forum software is designed to work around a cookie given to your machine after you logon. The cookie is really little more than your log on information and is your authorization to post as a member.

I've never tried using the forum without logging on, but I do know there are all kinds of things that don't work without the cookie, or at least they work strangely. We've had various reports of problems from folks who either remove the cookie or have privacy settings so high that the cookie won't work. Think of the cookie from the CU Server like a key to your car.

Every time your computer requests information from the CU Server, the cookie determines what you get. Some people have been told cookies are bad, and some of them are. However, the CU Cookie is little more than identifying you as a registered user. All browsers and cleaning type programs are different, so I won't try to guess how your software works. I have Christians Unite set as a "trusted site", and I use the log on forever function. I use the log on and log off function on each visit. I use a program called RoboForm that automatically fills in my user name and password.

Without the Christians Unite cookie on your computer, the server would simply recognize you as an unknown. I hope this helps some. I doubt that many functions would work properly without in.

Love In Christ,
Tom

k muppet man quit messin `round and produce the might have  

   I'll start the search, scan them, put them on my server, and post them here. You won't believe they are the same person.    

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Sister Reba,

I must have been asleep when I read your post and replied. Please accept my apology. Billy Bob and Bubba Sue read my post and kicked me out of the OKIE Choir.    In case you are wondering, coyotes take care of the high notes.

I have my coffee, and I'm awake now. Here's my perfect opportunity to also say that discussions about the tribulation period should have nothing to do with fellowship among brothers and sisters in Christ. SO:

Love In Christ,
Tom

WHEW!!!  I clicked the link to share international.

All I can say is pretty literal:

What a load of goat droppings!