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Re: this post really stirred my emotions, it was beautifully said.
callista: thank you so much for reading, I'm glad you got something out of this. Re the money--since we really only make pennies here, Blogit gold is really rank and popularity. I'm here to get some feedback on my work, build a writing habit and learn something, and I refuse to deride someone in any way to achieve rank here. Hopefully others will follow my example.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 7, 2007 at 4:54 AM
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this post really stirred my emotions, it was beautifully said.
your ending comment about being here on blogit, i dont think any people here in blogitville really write for the money, there's not enough of it to be here for that. But i do believe we all have a motive for being here, other than writing or money that is.
posted by
callista22001
on November 6, 2007 at 9:13 PM
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Re: Well said!
HI Whacky, thanks for reading, for the roses and smiles! HI BO!!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 6, 2007 at 4:48 AM
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Well said!
Some roses
and smiles
from me and Bo =^..^= the wonder dog!
posted by
Whacky
on November 5, 2007 at 8:59 PM
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Re: FYS
rich, you are welcome.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 5, 2007 at 7:26 AM
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FYS
thanks for sharing this.
posted by
richinstore
on November 5, 2007 at 7:20 AM
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Re: Fine Young Singer
Justi, thanks for reading!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 5, 2007 at 4:15 AM
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Re: afzal, thanks for reading!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 5, 2007 at 4:15 AM
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ACKcentuating the positive: Zena, I couldn't ACKgree more.
an ACKcident? What an ACKING tragedy!!!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 5, 2007 at 4:15 AM
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Re: It's a point to make...FactorFiction: whatever.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 5, 2007 at 4:14 AM
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Fine Young Singer
Be blessed
posted by
Justi
on November 5, 2007 at 4:02 AM
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posted by
afzal50
on November 4, 2007 at 11:54 PM
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I think it's always a good idea to ACKcentuate the positive, Fine
So, I'll return your Ack Woops, there's been an ACKcident in your comments section.
ACK
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 6:58 PM
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It's a point to make, an opinion to state, rather than an axe to grind.
I was referring to my own refernce to Psalm 23 as well as others. The shepherd references
originated Old Testament books, e.g. in Ezekiel I believe where the whole thing is expounded upon. And I still think we can do better than to call God a shepherd.
Actually I think your first sentence in reply to me was your best argument. I will leave you alone now.
posted by
FactorFiction
on November 4, 2007 at 6:44 PM
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Re: Smart man. Those never go anywhere good.
Got that right, Mama! Oh, and I haven't given you your daily ACK yet, so ....
A C K !
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 5:27 PM
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Smart man. Those never go anywhere good.
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 5:25 PM
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Re: Re: Re: Fine, I've tried a lot of churches. I haven't found one that suits me yet.
It's a dirty life, Zena, a dirty life indeed. LOL! Yeah, he does a great job of keeping everything in perspective. We have a few people at the church that are always trying to pull him into political arguments, but he keeps his distance.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 5:24 PM
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Re: Re: Fine, I've tried a lot of churches. I haven't found one that suits me yet.
Fine, I could get on board with that message. Too many churches are like what you've described here, or all about the pastor's ego. I want to stay focused on the bigger picture, not get caught up in power struggles.
Actually amend that, I think it's absolutely essential to choose one's battles wisely. Know thine enemy, and not shoot from the hip, as i have done in the past. It sounds like your pastor is smart and spiritual enough to run a good church, without letting descend into pettiness. Those damned sheep, you know, lol. Pissing down the shepherd's back.
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 5:19 PM
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Re: Fine, I've tried a lot of churches. I haven't found one that suits me yet.
hey Zena---Don't worry, you'll find exactly the place for you. I'm really fortunate, in that my Pastor has a great outlook on the world. He truly believes that we are created as individuals, and that we must be willing to celebrate our individualism, while at the same time recognizing that we are all here for one solitary purpose. He's excellent.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 5:05 PM
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Re: What a wonderful post, FineYoungSinger
Hi TAPS, thank you so much! That really means a lot from you---you are one of my favorite writers on this site!
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 5:02 PM
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Re: Excellent post
Hey Brian, thanks for reading! I just figure it's a waste of time to try to argue with someone that has an ax to grind.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 5:01 PM
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Re: I don't want to have the brain of a sheep.
Factor: FYI, the gospel of John is in the new testament, not the old.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 4:59 PM
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I don't want to have the brain of a sheep.
I accept God and his guidance. I am not an animal to be forced into submission for my own good or herded with other feeble-minded sheep. I am intelligent and know God to be generous and kind. My God is not a _shepherd_ because a shepherd's purpose in protecting his sheep is to use them, eat them, take from them. A shepherd is an outdated, Old Testament symbol of God, the sort who decides that the naughty sheep should die in a massive flood, because he has a few good sheep to replenish his herd. The Old Testament is just full of things that are lovely to teach our children.
posted by
FactorFiction
on November 4, 2007 at 4:20 PM
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Fine, I've tried a lot of churches. I haven't found one that suits me yet.
I belonged to The Church of Christ the first year I was a "newbie", I think I kept going for the singing, a capella, of gospels. Gospel just gets me right there.
That sounds like a relevant message, considering all the intolerance of minorities, etc.
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 12:32 PM
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What a wonderful post, FineYoungSinger
I really love your consistently good writing.
posted by
TAPS.
on November 4, 2007 at 12:28 PM
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Excellent post
True, it's way more hard to turn your other face to them for a slap then write protest. I'm not sure I could do it. IYour sheperd must be a very godly person.
posted by
Brian76
on November 4, 2007 at 11:35 AM
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Re: Fine, You're preaching to the choir, sister, lol
Church is always great. I'm very fortunate, my priest always has a brilliant nugget of wisdom to share. Today it was how tolerance of culture breeds love of neighbor. Pretty philisophical stuff, all around. How for you, mama?
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 11:27 AM
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Fine, You're preaching to the choir, sister, lol
Speaking of which, how was church this morning?
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 11:22 AM
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Re: FineYoungSinger, lack of higher consciousness is about the size of it
Hi Zena: Exactly-humans react to their God with fear, and the initial reaction is to want to jump away--what is better for the sheep (well, calf in this case); to be abandoned and left to the wolves, or to be returned to the shelter?
Our instinct is to run, fight, even cry out against God, who really wants nothing more than to return us to safety. Whether or not we have a say in it, as was pointed out by FactorFiction, is really an empty bleat from a scared sheep that doesn't realize that it's being rescued and returned home to safety.
These concepts can be difficult for anyone that doesn't consider the realm of the spirit.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 11:20 AM
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FineYoungSinger, lack of higher consciousness is about the size of it
The sheep does have the consciousness of a sheep, limited, instinctual, its not really thinking consciously just reacting out of fear.
Losing bladder control is a sign of shock, precursor to the body shutting down for death. It doesn't even know when or how to fight for its life, it doesn't recognize its Savior.
That is love. To subdue the sheep and make it submit or in its blind shock and panic it will kill itself. Yep, that analogy works.
posted by
Zena77
on November 4, 2007 at 11:10 AM
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Re: True, a sheep does not have the same level of consciousness.
FactorFiction: Go reread my article, particularly the part where Larry is carrying the calf on his shoulders. There is the whole point of the verse.
If you want to have a discussion the that's great. If you want to twist my words to suit your arguments, then go elsewhere.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 10:30 AM
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True, a sheep does not have the same level of consciousness.
But, that still makes us "God's livelihood" by analogy. Still not comforting. Strange that the 23rd Psalm is still my favorite poem.
posted by
FactorFiction
on November 4, 2007 at 10:20 AM
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Re: Oh, and the sheep never get a say in the matter, either.
Why should they? They're sheep. You do realize that all they can say is BAAAAHHHHH, don't you?
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 10:20 AM
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Re: But
FactorFiction: Just because someone can do something, doesn't mean they will do something.
And from a worldly, practical point of view, sheep aren't the shepherd's "pets"; but his "livelyhood". Just to humor you, why would someone destroy their own livelyhood in the manner you've described?
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on November 4, 2007 at 10:16 AM
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Oh, and the sheep never get a say in the matter, either.
posted by
FactorFiction
on November 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM
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But
ultimately the shepherd is protecting the sheep so he can strip them bare, take milk from their babies and eat them. So they are an investment, not his loving pets. SOmething I have never understood about this whole Christianity thing.
posted by
FactorFiction
on November 4, 2007 at 9:59 AM
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