I actually work at a YMCA in Australia and i have to agree with what BEP has said. Many decisions that we also make have a lot to do with what the society/community tells us to do. The YMCA in a not for profit organisation therefore it must support what the community wants really sometimes rather then what it used to stand for...society has changed from what it used to be when the organisation started therefore i guess it has had to change...now i think it might just be in a rather political jam which ever side it chooses.

True enough...i have never believed in pushing faith down peoples throats....generally they pick up on you and how you live your life. So i think for the time being i will just do that...lead by example and if he asks questions then ill answer but hes not stupid - he can see whats different...

yes indeed!!! i totally agree with you there...i am also a leader of the youth group at my church and he is really interested in coming and helping out there too so yea wonders never cease...

Greg F, thank you for your ideas...you may be right...im not sure if he would study the bible yet but i guess theres no harm in suggesting it is there...i know he has the "family" bible that would be good for starters...he has been to church for the last two weeks and has really enjoyed it so that is great...as for my own progress...my mum seems to be getting more answers from God for me then what i am so i guess im using her experience to help me here in what i should do. but we dont really have a close relationship where we talk that much. Hopefully ill find some answers some day some where i guess only time will tell...in the mean time im thinkin that a good bible study and his own bible might be just what my friend needs and would love for his up-comin b'day soonish...hmmz

yea it is and thank you prayers will def. help!

well he came to church today so i guess thats progress!!

Thankyou for your prayers and verses i shall keep you posted hopefully on the progress

God Bless
Tol

yes yes indeed you did...but rain is also still needed here!! lol keep it comin!

Gday all,

im stuck somewhere between a rock and a hard place at the moment and i could really do with some prayer. Im kinda lost as to where i am going in life so far and i know i am only "young" aka 21 but i dont really want to end up later in life regretting not doing anything now. im not liking the course that i am studying and my job doesnt give me many hours and there isnt much where i live, and i dont have enough money to move or leave home, never mind buy a car. but thats just my hassles at the moment.
My second and more major problem is that my best a friend a male thats also my age is not a Christian neither is any of his family although im pretty sure both his parents were growing up. im not really sure what to say and when is the right time and that...im not gifted in that area unfortunately. anyway he told me that he was raped when he was 5 by an old family friend, who luckily they dont see anymore, and im not sure how much he has delt with it and how much he hasnt...he had never spoken to anyone about it before even his parents and sister dont know.  yet again im not sure what to say i dont really know what scripture will help him and what might make it worse, he is willing to consider finding out more because he knows how much it means to me and that i couldnt have survived all i have in my life without something. i really want to see him and his family returning to the church and growing in faith im just not sure how to help that happen so any prayers are welcome and i would really love any verses stories or anything you can give me to help

-Tol.

G'day everyone,

well at the end of last yr i wrote about the desperate need for rain down here in Australia. Well the rain started on the first day of the yr and brought much happiness to everyone but it didnt last very long then around march it started again and the rain has been falling and it has been fantastic. no one has been able to get the washing dry or the carpets clean but we dont really care that much either!!! We still have a very very long way to go as i think the water storages in my area are still at 3ish % but thats better then what they were. Some of the water storages have been dried for years and now you cant even play cricket on them because the balls go down the cracks!! it will be great if God provides the rain for these but for what he has done we say thanks!!

Thankyou PR....

Hey everybody...just writting a quick message to you all to say Merry Christmas and all that jazz i hope you all have a great day with whateva you are doing...whether you are with family or not remember that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season so remember not to get all wrapped up in the preparations, paper and presents and forget the real gift is Jesus and he is the real reason for our presence here.

God Bless you all,

Tolorah
                              '                                             
                            ' * '                                           
                          '* * *'                                           
                        '* *  * *'                                         
                      '* * * * * *'                                       
                     '* * * * * * *'                                     
                   '* * * *  * * * *'                                   
                            [=]                                             

LOL ... i am thankful many times a day but its not the same thing.... L well

We dont have Thanksgiving here...I feel left out 

ahhh the question is does he need it??? lol