I thought much of this might be true. I was just thinking about how many graveyard shifts I worked in my 25 years, and I reflected on specific duties in cemeteries around the time of Halloween. WOW!! - you wouldn't believe what a tiny minority of weirdos do near Halloween in cemeteries.

I'm not sure if I would have survived with one of those dead-ringers.    One night, a huge owl flew right past my window, and I almost broke my neck when my head hit the top of the patrol car. NO, I didn't report an injury, nor did I tell anyone about the owl. It was a very dark night, and you can only imagine my first thoughts about the owl.  

In reading some other things about the 1500s, I would say that we are spoiled folks who would not survive long at that time.    One idea was good, I carry a bouquet of flowers everywhere I go now.  

Oklahoma Howdy to SincereHeart,

Sister, maybe we could replace the Debate area with an opposite, maybe something like "Peace and Quiet". Maybe only a whisper would be allowed there. Capital letters wouldn't even be allowed.    UM??, how about some soft and soothing Christian music playing in the background and weapons checked at the door.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

SincereHeart Said:

Isn't He wonderful!

Sister, HE is wonderful. I don't believe in chance. I have many pages of favorite Scriptures by my computer that I read every day. Before I read your post, here's what I read:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  Ephesians 1:3

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

Just the the thoughts in these beautiful Scriptures are wealth and peace beyond imagination. We both know they are not just thoughts, rather they are REALITY in Christ. We look for all kinds of things in this short life, but HE has already given us more than we could ever thank HIM for.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Evangelinux,

You asked a great question, and I would really love to respond.

I honestly think that some of the best Christian material and software is absolutely free, with very minor or reasonable restrictions.

I enjoy adding several high quality devotions to my normal Bible study each day. Most of them say plainly to "please distribute", but they normally ask that you leave their name on the material. Others ask that you leave contact information on the material so that whoever wants it can get additional material free of charge. Many of these folks have been distributing free Bible Study material for 50 or more years. The high quality of their materials makes it very easy to comply with leaving contact information and/or their name on the material.

I have all kinds of extremely high quality Christian software programs that are completely free. Their requirements are much the same:  please distribute this, but it must be given free of charge, and we would appreciate you leaving contact information intact. Some make it an absolute requirement to distribute freely in the same package you got it in. BUT, money is the big issue for most of them. You can't sell what they have given you freely.

I have mixed emotions about paying for certain software and publications. However, I do know there are expenses to be paid, and many people earn their living selling Christian materials and software. If the price is reasonable and it's something I really want, I pay with some mixed emotions. I would rather give a love offering, and I might add that could be more than what they could sell it for. I obviously understand buying hard cover Bibles and other items that could not be produced without spending money. Someone has to pay the money. However, I have mixed emotions about charging for electronically downloaded translations of the Holy Bible, and other Bible Study related materials. I have bought some I really wanted, but only because the price was reasonable and I thought they had salaries to pay.

I guess you could have the same reservations about anything Christian that is for sale (i.e. music, games, crafts, etc.). For me, the biggest question is this:  Is someone trying to get rich by using God's name. If I think "YES", I don't buy it.

I've read some copyright material that is ridiculous. I don't buy those. There are far too many reasonable, low cost, or no cost places to get outstanding Christian materials. Most of them have done fine with reasonable prices or donations. I would greatly prefer to make a donation, even in cases where nothing is asked for. If it's good material, I want them to continue their ministry.

Some of the stuff is a sore subject, and many distributors are out for the money with hard core copyright notices and high prices. I doubt they survive for long.

I hope my two cents worth helps you.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Gracey,

If I understand correctly, you are running Windows ME. I bought an upgrade to ME and I had nothing but trouble, so I went back to Windows 98. I think that Windows 98 is pretty stable. However, my old computer completely fried, and my new computer has Windows XP Pro on it. I was worried for quite some time, but my first impression is that Windows XP PRO is pretty good.

You definitely need a firewall if you use the Internet very much. Zone Alarm makes a free one that is excellent. It's also a must to have virus protection. If you need a free one, there are several pretty good ones on Tucows, CNet and other safe distributors of software. Regarding intrusion type problems from the Internet, SpyBot Search and Destroy is free an excellent (Available just about everywhere).

Here's a few hints that may also help:

Turn off file and print sharing unless your computer is actually hooked to a network needing it.

Set your email program to plain text only with images, scripts, and any other security setting set to high.

Never click URL addresses anywhere unless you know what they are and know they are safe.

Always virus check every program before you install it, even if you get the software from a reputable and trusted place like CNet and Tucows.

Always check for updates to your operating system. It's usually free, and new security holes in operating systems are found all the time. The same would be true of major programs you use on the Internet (i.e. browser, email/news).

Be extremely careful with instant chat programs. Use the highest security settings, read reviews, and see if you want to take the risk of using them.

I hope this helps some.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Candice,

I think that I know what you are trying to say, but I'm somewhat confused by the application of your examples. I don't think those t-shirts are going to say anything like "Let's stone the gays to death". If I remember correctly, most of the examples were very simple, like "Homosexuality Is Sin" and/or a Bible verse. Would that be making a true statement? Would that be hating or hurting anyone?

What if I wore a t-shirt that said "Pornography Is Sin", or any number of other examples. The same questions would apply. Dope and alcohol might be other examples. Our world is turning into a giant sewer. How long will it be before there is no decent place left to raise children. What if safe, clean, and Godly places ceased to exist? Would you wonder why?

Candice, I'm not trying to argue. I'm just trying to point out there is a price for saying nothing. Saying nothing also implies your agreement and acceptance of sin that will eventually claim members of your own family.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Let Go and Let God!

BTW what's a BEP anyhow?!

Blessings,  \o/

KristiAnn

Oklahoma Howdy to KristiAnn,

BEP is BEEP, as in a horn honking, with one less "E".  

Actually, it is short for:

Black
Eyed
Peas

They used to be called cow peas, and they grow wild all over the South. I think they're delicious, but some folks don't like them.

Love In Christ,
Tom

(By Email - Is this true?)

Subject: Interesting Facts of the 1500's

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some facts about the1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.  Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water.  The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.  It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection.  That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet , so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside.  A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway.
Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot.  They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."
 
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

And that's the truth... Now , whoever said that History was boring ! ! !

Educate someone...Share these facts.
_____________________________________

If some of them are true, would you care to have some fun and give additional information?

AMEN AGAIN SISTER SINCEREHEART,

I think that you just gave me an answer that I've been praying about. I need to STOP completely more often, Study HIS WORD, and enjoy the peace and joy of my Lord and Saviour. Instead of looking for peace and joy, my Lord and Saviour will give it to me if I just become still at HIS feet.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to BronzeSnake,

Brother, it gave me great joy and peace to read about my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and Almighty God forever.

Thank you brother.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Brother Love Said:

...i'm agnostic by the way Your in one of my FAVORITE religions


Brother Love

<))><

Oklahoma Howdy to Brother Love,

Brother, I think that I have something about this in my notes. However, my notes have grown so large and unorganized over the last two weeks, that it would take an entire tribe of Pygmy scribes a week to organize them.  

   Brother, I'm working on it, but the Pygmy scribes refused to help me.

Love In Christ,
Tom

BronzeSnake Said:

Thanks for watching our backs Tom. You have a tough job here, and you take a lot of guff - a lot of us come to you when we're being attacked, and you jump right in there and make the world right again...

Thanks my brother....again!

Bronzesnake.

Brother, you are most welcome, but ADMIN gets all of the credit for this one and I don't know how many more. bds195 was only one in the Christian hunting party. I have an idea about others who are still here, and I just reported three others who are back from being banned. WOW! - the devil is busy attacking Christians Unite. I give thanks that ADMIN has gone to so much trouble in keeping Christians Unite up and going.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Well it was a good theory......  

Oklahoma Howdy to Sincereheart,

Sister, I'm thinking that theory was almost a complete and total failure. It's so sad that it's almost a comedy. It was my idea and ADMIN authorized it. In fact, ADMIN went to considerable effort to provide it. I'm thinking that I may deserve a public flogging for even having such an idea. Maybe the real answer was to just not have anything like that on Christians Unite. When dust settles on the current war, I'll pray about this and make another recommendation.

In the meantime, I'll report to the public flogging post. Bring the rotten eggs and tomotoes.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

Please see "War News Two" under debate. This should answer most of your questions. I must add that I don't have a clue about many of the technical aspects of the Christians Unite server. I must also add that my only experience with hackers regarded many years of operating an old fashioned Christian and Law Enforcement bulletin board called 357 Magnum. Most of you don't even know what a bulletin board is. That's old news with the massive Internet of today.

I doubt that I will live long enough to get an education on modern ways to disrupt and attack servers on the Internet. However, I have no desire to obtain this education. This is not my responsibility or interest. We already have an expert in this area, ADMIN.

Love In Christ,
Tom

AMEN SINCEREHEART!

Thanks sister - A worship thread without a hint of hate or war. We need more of this, and I pray we can all take a break to simply give thanks and worship our Lord and Saviour.

Love In Christ,
Tom