Please continue to come here and talk to us that learn from you and are able to hear what you have to say.

I think of you as having "Forever's Way"...it's who you are...a strong Believer in GOD'S WORD and your Bible knowledge and understanding are AWESOME, IMO....

I learn from you..from WAT..and Lemonman...even though he continues to speak negatively of me...

We're all different parts of this community...

What does it say in Phillipians about each person having his/her OWN DIFFERENT GIFTS or PURPOSES? Heck, you are the one that can explain this better than me.

Everyone has their point of view and means of communication...

WE ARE ALL GOD'S PEOPLE...IMO...

We are here together for a purpose...

Remember as I say daily: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths".... Proverbs 3...

The Lord led you here, I think, Forever....

You may touching more people than you will ever know...

Here Here Mimi...Awh, FH, I can certainly understand how you are feeling...it seems more often than not you take a real beating around here...sometimes I don't know how you do it...but I've learned a lot from you and things that you've said when you were forced to the defensive...I admire your tenacity and the courage of your convictions...You've inspired me to join the local in depth Bible study that begins here in the fall(though, pray that I'm not here in the fall, that someone has bought our house and we're once again living in my precious Atlanta where Southern Baptist churches are a dime a dozen and not a needle in a Haystack like they are here in Detroit...ARGH, I can't take yankeeville anymore-LOL...but I digress) Anyway, if I am still here I'm going to that Bible study, and I hear there's !homework! and FH, I fully expect you to be here in case I have a question about that homework...so you can't go anywhere...you just CANNOT, okay, please, pretty please? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I almost said this on the other thread, but I wasn't sure if I should, I really don't want it to be misinterpreted...I'm still not sure, but what the heck, I'm gonna try to say it clearly...dang, the written word sometimes has limitations, huh? Actually, it's MY written word that has limitations-LOL...Anyway, another female MBer said this and it made a lot of sense to me, so I'll try to share...She said, paraphased, of course, that FH's delivery style really speaks to the believers at MB...further, Mortarman's delivery style appeals to non believers here...Now, that's not to say that neither FH or Mortarman cannot get through to the non believer or the believer, respectively...You NEVER know where God allows a planted seed to grow...Anyway, FWIW, this believer has gained MUCH from both Forever Hers and Mortarman, and I am a better person for having "known" you both...

Sort of OT, FH, but when you have a chance (I know you are a busy man), but if you could check out this website for me and let me know what you think, I would be very grateful...I have this client who has been asking me to look at the materials provided by the site(free of charge)...He said a lot of things that followed what I know to be the truth and living a spirit filled life...but then he said something I thought quite strange regarding "the breath of life" and abortion, so I'm just very uncertain about the path down which I could be led should I choose to accept his materials...Supposedly this minister, out of Texas, studies the original Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew and interprets scripture from there. On the site, around a sword is his intrepretation of Hebrews 4:12...I was supposed to check that intrepretation against the KJV and then let him know if I was interested in the materials...It's just that what he said regarding abortion is needling me, and I'm just uncertain what to do with that, which makes me lean towards the answer being "No, I'm not interested in your materials"-but maybe, I misinterpreted what he said, maybe he just said it wrong...I thought I'd already made up my mind about it (the answer being NO), but it has lingered in my mind, and I can't figure out why...is it because it is good or evil?...I would really like to hear from someone as knowledgable as you FH on this, if you don't mind...I would VERY much appreciate it, thank you so much...Here's the site...

AND BY ALL MEANS PLEASE DON'T GO...ForeverHers fans may be silent much of the time because we just couldn't do as good a job as you do, but silence does not mean we don't exist or that your words are falling on deaf ears...THEY ARE NOT!!! God Bless You my brother in Christ...

Mrs. W

P.S. I happen to know that another, sometimes controversial, poster around these parts thinks the world of you too! HINT: She's got BIG HAIR, talks with a TWANG and lives in a state that rhymes with Nexus...tee hee!

Oh, and a question on the DaVinci Code...Is the reason that you think it's dangerous because of those who are not strong in their faith could be swayed by it...and because it may serve to push non believers even futher away from believing? Do you also think that it's harmful to believers that are strong in their faith? I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I'll admit to curiosity based on the controversy...is that dangerous too? I'm not trying to bait you (I think you know that)...I'm asking in earnest what exactly is wrong with it...Sorry for the sophomoric questions, I just enjoy your guidance...

Mr. W said that he thinks it's funny that anyone could compare The DaVinci Code to the Bible when for YEARS people have been unsuccessful at disproving the Bible (in fact, those that have tried have ended up further proving it's VALIDITY) and that Nightline(or some such show-I can't remember which one he said) has disproven The DaVinci code in a one hour segment...I didn't see the broadcast that he was refering to, might have been PBS, I dunno...

Mrs. W

FH, you out there? Mimi and Mortarman...I'd love to have you two answer my questions too if you have a spare minute or two...Sorry for the threadjack Mimi...since we seem like minded on this issue, I hoped you wouldn't mind...Plus, I like learning from you too! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W

FH -

I want to second (third?) mimi's and MrsWondering's request that you stay on these forums. Although I'm still "young" around here, you and Mortarman have played a huge role in getting my spiritual life grounded - and without that grounding, I would never get the marriage that I want and believe God wants for me and MP, even if we "recovered" from the A.

It saddens me to see the flame wars that start when Christianity enters the discussion - especially when posters that I respect or admire get upset with those (like you and MM) who hold strongly to your beliefs. I wish everyone could get along, but I realize that is not human nature.

Everyone has their own recovery, and while the main themes are constant, there's always little variations here and there. I learn a lot from people's recoveries - even yours (since I'm still dealing with occasional contact myself in our recovery). Your contributions are valuable for many people on here.

Please do stick around, if you can. I for one appreciate your forthright manner. I'd rather have someone state their beliefs firmly (even if I don't agree with them) than to be wishy-washy about it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mrs. W:

I have had the book DVC for a long time since when it first came out. I am an avid reader. I read a lot... a lot of books. However, I couln't bring myself to read the DVC. I'm not speaking for anyone else on this. For me personally, I don't like anyone playing around with what I hold to be SACRED. I got the feeling that's what the book entails.

I haven't even seen that Mel Gibson movie about the THE CRUCIFIXION.

I'm not the type, though, that questions anyone else's right to read a book or to see a movie. I don't think I can be someone else's judge on such things.

Thanks Mimi...I agree, I don't like it either...for me that's sacrilege...

FH...Alternately, should you choose not to post here, and *IF* you have the time to look at that website and/or answer my other questions you could email Mr. W and I (we share the account) your thoughts at the addy in my signature line...I could most certainly understand your wishing to stay out of the fray right now...All Blessings to you my friend...

Mrs. W

Well, to start off...I am not sure where FH is coming from on this, so I will let him speak for himself. For me...for believers...I am not much worried about this book/movie. Why? Because my God is bigger than Mr. Brown. I really do not need to fight God's battles...I believe He can cover it.

But, at the same time, I have a visceral feeling of righteous anger when the Jesus I know, the one who bled and died for everyone of us...is villified and treated this way. I know He can handle it Himself. But it still gets my blood boiling a little to know that the Man that I know personally, who gave everything for me...is treated this way.

It's as if someone wrote a fictionally story about my Dad, but changed many things in it which misrepresented who he was and what he was about. While my Dad would be big enough to handle it...it still would irk me that people that do not know my Dad are writing these things. Albeit, they say that what they are writing is "fiction." But, the message in some way or another still sticks. And that aint fair.

Same goes for Jesus. Obviously, Mr. Brown does not know Jesus, or he wouldnt have written what he wrote. But, he writes a fictional accounting of Jesus, using his gift as a writer, and does so in a professional way. And because of this, others entertain such thoughts as stated above..."I know it is fiction, but it does seem plausible."

Well, if Mr. Brown was writing an accounting of my Dad's life, but doing so in a "fictional" way...and he was obviously way off mark...but did so in a way where people would say "I know it is fictional, but it is plausible that your Dad was all of these things Mr. Brown wrote..." then that would be a disservice to my Dad. It would cast him in a light that he didnt deserve.

So, that is my thoughts. The Passion of Christ was a great illustration into just a small portion of the debt Jesus paid for all of us. When I walked out of that movie, I couldnt talk about it for three days. All I could say...all I could pray...was "I'm sorry." For it was me that put Him there.

Then, to know the truth about Jesus, to have met Him and declared my life His...to have someone that obviously does not know Him write this...well, it is a feeling that more than upsets me.

One more illustration that might help. Let's say a buddy of mine threw himself on a handgrenade and died for me in combat. And when I got back, someone had written a "fictional" book about him, and it did not describe at all who he was or what he was about. Even if the book was a good read...I would be more than upset my the mistreatment of a man that gave his life for me.

Jesus is big enough to handle Mr. Brown. And in some ways, the book will drive many towards the truth. God will use anything for His own purposes.

But, as a personal affront...I dont like it at all when people who do not know Jesus, want to mischaracterize Him and try to minimize what He did.

In His arms.

MM...

Thank you for that wonderful well worded response...Again, I'm not that familar with the what the book asserts, I've just heard that it doesn't paint Jesus in a positive light, which is disturbing to me also...I wholeheartedly agree with your take on the subject...Sorry, I didn't respond to thank you before...I've been busy for last few days and haven't been around here...But I wanted you to know that I read what you penned and I thank you for it...What a marvelous God given talent you have for breaking things down to the brass tacks!

Mrs. W

Mimi, Mrs. Wondering, Brokenbird - My apology. I just saw this thread now.

Thank you for your kind words they are appreciated and have been the basis of why I have remained. Now, however, the anti-Christ vitriol is getting to the point where I no longer want to subject myself to it. For the Christians "out there," there are others besides myself, including their own churches, that will continue to help out. I guess I see it right now like the Prayer Request forum, someone shoots in, posts a request, and then disappears. There is little opportunity to ENGAGE someone or to provide continuity of counseling. The predominant refrain on MB is that "Bible based counseling is not needed or desired." I would agree, from what I have seen. There have been precious few who want to surrender to God regardless of the circumstances they are dealing with, even among those who "claim the name of Christ" as theirs. I have learned the wisdom of what our MC said to us, "Unless you are both willing to DO what God tells you regardless of how you might be feeling, I will not spend my time counseling you. If a Christian will not obey God, WHY would they listen to me?"

Mrs. Wondering - I will be happy to review that thread and let you know what I think.

As for the rest, I shall consider it. Right now, if you, as a believer, want to discuss things with me there is one thread on Recovery that I am responding to. The other thread that I, late yesterday, responded to is on GQ II and is limited to discussing with 2long the subject of FACTS and the interpretation of facts, not related directly to MB "advice."

I will be gone most of Friday, but I will see what I can do respond to your questions.

For now, let me simply agree with MM on the DVC and add one more item, "garbage in, garbage out." Unless one is preparing for Apologetics, and is already fairly well grounded in the doctrines of the faith, "playing" with things that directly attack the diety of Christ is very risky behavior. I'd run the "risk factor" pretty much like the "how does someone surrender their values and beliefs and 'slide' into an affair?" One small step at a time, one more seemingly "harmless" sharing of thoughts, an expression, a little thinking "it could be....," a brief touch, a tingly feeling, a hug a kiss, and expression of love, ... the slippery slope of "if it feel good, do it."

"In the latter days people will gather around themselves.....for their itching ears."

I am NOT surprised that the book was written or that "Hollywood" thinks the movie is "just art" and excuse it on the basis that "it's fiction."

I have not read the book, not seen the film, have not seen The Passion of Mel Gibson's. But the POINT is how Gibson's film garnered so much vitriol over it's "alleged" attack on Jews as the ones who killed Christ and the strident talk of "acceptance" of DVC that blashpemes Christ in no uncertain terms. Gibson tried to stay "true to the Gospels" and DVC does anything but that.

This just sort of "feeds" those who claim the name of Christ but who do NOT believe in the Jesus of Scripture. For others, they don't believe in Jesus, or God for that matter, and they view ALL things related to Jesus and God as "fiction" or "myth" anyway.

Mrs. Wondering - I was unable to find information on that site regarding abortion. Perhaps you could direct me or tell me what it is that you'd like me to comment about.

Yep...one of my own personal standards..don't play with fire..don't open Pandora's box...

Ya, and you don't spit into the wind either.