Alien Is One Of Us Now!

[JardinPrayer]

IT'S PARTY TIME!

Alien (a/k/a Tony) Formally announced his decision to give his life to Christ and join the ranks of Christianity last night, around 9:45 p.m. !!!!!!!!!!!

What a way to ring in a new year! Let's all wish him an amazing 2004!


:balloons: :band: :boogie: :rapture: :rave: :rapture: :boogie: :band: :balloons:
:balloons: :band: :boogie: :rapture: :rave: :rapture: :boogie: :band: :balloons:

[$cirisme]

Awesome

[Xmansmommy]

:whohoo:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Tony! Be blessed this new year beyond measure.

Love in Christ,
Linda

[Bill the Cat]

Saweet!!!!!!

God is awesome!!!

[Faramir]

:yipee: :yipee: :yipee:

[Alien]

Thanks guys!!!

:cheers: :joy:

[India]

w00t! PARTY TIME!!! :joy:

And just think, y'all - God is one of the attendees! Hi God, we love ya! :hi:

And now, a song dedication: Kamikaze (http://www.lyricsondemand.com/f/fiveironfrenzylyrics/kamikazelyrics.html) by Five Iron Frenzy (though I usually don't like this genre of music, I've been thinking of it as the theme song for Alien's journey).

[luv1another]

congratulations alien :woo: :belly: :bhappy: :cheer2: :great: :hugn: :music: :party: :pengu: :star:

[Esther]

Congratulations, Alien!!! That's wonderful news!!!

[insert page full of celebratory smilies that I wish I had >here<]

[Solly]

Welcome Alien, may the lord bless you mightily, and make 2004 more than you could have expected. sm42

[NSMinistries]

Amen

[Alien]

Hey guys .... I'm overwhelmed .... if I don't seem as appreciative of all your good wishes as I should .... imagine me standing here with mouth opening and closing like a goldfish in a bowl, totally unable to find the right words (that's really unusual for me).

India, those song lyrics are absolutely amazing!!

"a leap of faith (and I finally feel alive)"

"I am so slow to commit
I have wasted years on fences"

Wow, wasted years on fences, you know me so well.

I wish we were really together for a party .... India and Lynn, my bestest friends ....

{{{{{ India Tony Lynn }}}}}

That's a three-way hug ... if it was real I'd probably be dripping tears on you both ....

(Reads Email from work) Shoot, they want me to work, gotta go. Talk to you all later.

[JardinPrayer]

Hey, Tony...we didn't throw you a party so you could show US your appreciation! We threw a party so we could all celebrate the complete and utter awesomeness of God.

We all know how you feel. Well...those of us who were once unbelievers can, anyhow. You are in for the best days of your life, my friend! And also the most challenging...but at least you now know you don't have to face the challenges alone!

India, I thought those lyrics were amazing, too! Prophetic, even!

:sunburst:

[RumTumTugger]

:RTTdisco: :yipee: :yipee: :joy: :joy: Welcome to the family Brother. {{{{{Alien}}}}}

[Xavier]

Amen.... Amen... AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:yipee: :joy: :yipee: :joy: :yipee:

[NSMinistries]

The BIG Party is when we get to heaven...

[Dave G]

Yes, welcome home.

:joy: :joy: :joy:

[India]

JardinPrayer:

We threw a party so we could all celebrate the complete and utter awesomeness of God.



Amen, sister! :thumb:

Hugs to you too, Alien! {{{Alien}}}

[Faramir]

:316:

[RumTumTugger]

oh i knew I forgot something. :RTTrunninghug: Alien Welcome

[Alien]

Today @ 11:15 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359171#post359171)
JardinPrayer:
Hey, Tony...it's we didn't throw you a party so you could show US your appreciation!

<sings> It's my party and I'll appreciate you if I want to ... </sings>

[bar Jonah]

There's no smiley big enough or happy enough, so I'm not even gonna try, Tony.


This is the best Christmas I've ever had...! First a new sister, and now a new brother! Much love from Denver proper!

[Alien]

Thanks, Jim.

The new sister would be Queen?

Of course, we're a mile nearer heaven in Denver ..... :smile:

[bar Jonah]

This is true.

We have the best parking space. :lol:

[Bill the Cat]

Tony, you need an avatar now...

[bar Jonah]

Yes! Avatar! *slams gavel on bench*

:bonk:



Ooops, sorry, Tony... didn't mean for you to get in the way. :tongue:

[ChrisChillin]

Alright, alright, I got the music right here!!

Toby Mac - Get this Party Started


Everybody everybody in the place to be
Open up your mind and let your soul be free
I can feel the Most High shining on me, so...
Let's get this party started!

Them people thought I was gone
It's been a long time comin'
But straight out the box
We got the dark side runnin;
So Father, Most High won't You show Yourself
And shine on this record like nobody else

Everybody, everybody in the place to be...

[bar Jonah]

Wilderness
by the Supertones

The rain falls on the righteous and the wicked
Mine is not to reason why this is
In this I rest, in this I find my refuge
That my thoughts and ways are not His
I spent my life on looking up the answers
It's rare that I can't find a reason why
But reasons fail at children without mothers...
His plan is more than I can know

Have you ever held in doubt
What this life is all about?
Have you questioned all these things that seem important to us?
Do you really wanna know
Or are you a little scared?
You're afraid that God is not exactly what you'd had Him be?
What should I hold to and what should I do?
How do I know if anything's true?
I'm somewhere in-between Canaan and Egypt
A place called the wilderness

I'm not one who always trusts their feelings
I don't believe in what you'd call blind faith
But faith that you can do all that you promised
And you said it all works for good
It's safe to say I don't see the big picture
I can't see the forest for the trees
And if five hundred lives
Were mine to get to know you
All could be spent on just this

(bridge)

"God do you really understand what it's like to be a man?
Have You ever felt the weight... of loving all the things you hate?
Have You struggled? Have You worried?
How can You sympathize???"

I have spoken much too soon
Put my hand over my mouth
I can't contend with You
Your ways are so much higher
And we pass through the fire that Christ endured before us
When You were in the wilderness

[bar Jonah]

Btw, Tony, did you get my PM? :ri:

[Alien]

Today @ 01:38 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359294#post359294)
RightIdea:

Btw, Tony, did you get my PM? :ri:

Just saw it. Sorry I'm trying to work here as well (without a lot of success).

Did you see my response to your original post on the other thread? I'll go into this with you by PM if you wish, but probably not today .... I have to work and we have guests this evening (and probably a hangover tomorrow!)

Regarding avatars, I've don't know how to "do" them and haven't so far found time to find out.

[Bill the Cat]

I'll email you with instructions how tonight.

[RumTumTugger]

Alien, if you are having trouble finding a graphic for your Avatar let me know a few things about yourself(likes, dislikes, favorite colors etc.) and I can try and whip something up for you.

Or if you want I can try and whip something up for you to signify your new birth.

[Alien]

Thanks guys ....

RTT, I think something appropriate to a "Very New Christian" might be a good start. Otherwise, I'm a pilot (small planes), and love animals, especially dogs.

I'm actually quite computer literate (that's what I do for a living) though not so much in the website area. I think when I get Bill's instructions and a maybe some links to stuff from you I'll be "off and running like a herd of turtles in a mud race" (as a guy I knew used to say ... what it means or where he got it from I have no idea). :smile:

Hmmmm .... "surely pride goeth before a fall ...". Bet I'll be back asking why it doesn't work. :smile:

[Ric]

:bounce: :cool: :cross: :joyjoy: :Ric2: :woohoo: :cheers: :joy: :yipee: :thumb:

[ChrisChillin]

Dude...a new year and a new life...

how 'bout them apples?

[bar Jonah]

Alien:
Just saw it. Sorry I'm trying to work here as well (without a lot of success).

Did you see my response to your original post on the other thread? I'll go into this with you by PM if you wish, but probably not today .... I have to work and we have guests this evening (and probably a hangover tomorrow!)
No, I didn't see it... I never got an e-mail notification! :doh:


Alien:

Just a short note, as I should be working .... (groan)

I feel so !!!!GOOD!!!! this morning!!!!!!!

Thanks to all for your congratulations and good wishes ... I love you all. :kiss:

Jim: Don't worry, nothing's going to spoil my mood today. I accept your benevolent intentions, and I'll attempt a brief answer. I accept Jesus as my savior. I believe He was crucified, and I believe He is alive today, so a belief in His resurrection seems logical. I have a lot of study and prayer in front of me before I can take that one any further. Am I saved? I don't know. God knows. He's led me (pushed me is more accurate) this far, so why would He let me down now? If I have other bases to touch (so to speak) no doubt He'll let me know. I trust Him. That's all I can tell you right now.

(Were you serious about not getting baptised? Why not?)
Then Amen, brother!

Tony, if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that God rose Him from the dead, you will be saved. And if you get baptised? And if you tithe? And if you belong to some particular church? And go there every Sunday? Nay nay nay nay. :smile: Even John wrote in one of his letters:

1 John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
You can know today, Tony. You can begin the new year, knowing you have that promise... the promise of Abraham, which Paul writes about in the letter to the Galatians.

I know you are busy today. But I strongly encourage you to find just 15 minutes to set aside to read Galatians some time today. It's one of the best books to read first, and as I said, it literally takes only a few minutes. But it's about knowing the true gospel by which you are saved. Very succinct and to the point. It would be great to start the new year with that in your heart and your mind. :smile: (Queen said she is going to read it today, too, btw...)

Wish I could bestow a hug! Have a wonderful night and the Happiest New Year, ever! :ri:


P.S. -- Yes, I was serious about being baptized, but don't worry about that, today. It was a passing remark, only, and not of more immediate importance. :lol:

[RumTumTugger]

Ok Alien as soon as I get home today. It's 2:03pm now I get off at 5:00pm I'll see what I can come up with and post the picture in this thread for you to copy to your computer.

[JardinPrayer]

Wait just a doggone second....Queen got saved??????????? Jim, I demand a PM with pertinent details! I totally missed that one. Hallelujah! What a wrap-up to 2003!

[bar Jonah]

You haven't seen the cross next to her name for days now? :teeth:

Yes, as I just told India in PM, she is already a radically transformed person on the inside. I talk to her every day. It is stunning to see. :smile:

[RumTumTugger]

Today @ 01:37 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359332#post359332)
ChrisChillin:

Dude...a new year and a new life...

how 'bout them apples?

Nice Picture Chris mind if I capture it when I get home?

[JardinPrayer]

RightIdea:

You haven't seen the cross next to her name for days now? :teeth:

Haven't crossed threads with her lately...awesome! That's quite a win for the good guys! Will ya still PM me with more on her big moment?

[ChrisChillin]

RumTumTugger:

Nice Picture Chris mind if I capture it when I get home?

Go for it!

[RumTumTugger]

Thanks Chris

[Pinky Pie of Doom]

I would also like a pm if you don't mind :smile:

[Alien]

Yeah, why hasn't Queen had a party and all this stuff??

OK, OK, because nobody noticed and she didn't make a big deal out of it like me, but PLEEEEESE guys give her some of this stuff too .... she's a really sweet person and needs a lot of love.

[Paulbarbee]

Alien became a Christian? Yay God!
Welcome Alien, and may God richly bless you in 2004.:joy:

[Dee Dee Warren]

Alien, our prayers and support is with you. Welcome to the family of God and your brethren here at TWeb. You will find a lot of diverse views on secondary issues, but remember it is the core that binds us together.

Weave


We are many textures,
We are many colors,
Each one different from the other
But we are entwined with one another
In one great tapestry....
Weave, weave,
weave us together, with cords that cannot be broken

Weave, weave, weave us togther, weave us together, together in love

[India]

Alien:

Yeah, why hasn't Queen had a party and all this stuff??


My sentiments exactly. All taken care of. :thumb:

[Alien]

Today @ 03:54 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359434#post359434)
Dee Dee Warren:

Alien, our prayers and support is with you. Welcome to the family of God and your brethren here at TWeb. You will find a lot of diverse views on secondary issues, but remember it is the core that binds us together.




Thanks, Dee Dee, that means a lot.

And thank you (and everyone that puts in so much effort to make this forum a success). TWeb has been very helpful to me.

Funny, India referred me here as a good place to have a discussion with Christians ..... who would have thought .....

[Sher]

I am so very happy for you Tony! I've sent you an email :smile:

[Alien]

Today @ 03:54 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359435#post359435)
India:

My sentiments exactly. All taken care of. :thumb:

Maybe RI (as he seems closest to her) could ask her to write her testimony .... I know we'd all love to read it.

[Alien]

Today @ 04:04 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359459#post359459)
Sher:

I am so very happy for you Tony! I've sent you an email :smile:

Sher!!!! I was just thinking of you and was going to write to you about this! I'll look forward to the Email.

[Alien]

Gotta go and get ready for our guests tonight.

Thank you, all my new Brothers and Sisters .....

.... and first, last and always, thank you Lord God, I feel so blessed. I am so looking forward to the New Year, and walking with you.

[Socrates]

:bouncing: :cool: :banana: :clap:

[mossrose]

I am a little slow today, but I add my joy to the others here, (and the angels in heaven, no less!) and welcome you into our family, Tony! I know that you will find more joy and peace and love than you have ever known before, within the fellowhip of God.

Patricia

[Bob Jenkins]

I wish you peace and joy and fulfillment in your walk.

[bar Jonah]

If you ever thought you knew what joy was... you had no idea. :smile:

I was just talking to Queen this morning (it was this evening for her), and she admitted, yes... she remembered how Christians had told her many times, "Yeah, I know it's true because I can feel it... it's a personal experience that is indescribable but incredibly joyful and beautiful," etc.

And now she knows what they meant. Now, she feels it too -- the imminent presence of God in her heart, that was never there before. Even recently, she's thought that God has alway been in her heart... Now she realizes, yes, God was in her life, but not truly truly in her heart. :smile:

Do things look a little different today, Tony? Do you find yourself seeing the world through different eyes, now? Do things have different and/or new meaning? Tell us about that...

:ri:

[Jaltus]

Wow, think there will be a TWeb section in heaven? I cannot wait!

Dear Lord,

We thank you for the salvation of our friend known as Alien. We thank you that you have brought another into your kingdom. Keep our friend and protect him until we are all able to worship before your throne together.

Amen.

[NSMinistries]

Amen

[Xmansmommy]

Amen!

[Undomiel]

Wow, sweetness! Welcome, Tony. :hug: Here's another tribute in song:

Your Love Broke Through (Keith Green)

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky,

All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why,

Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes,

Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I though I was so wise,

But then you took me by surprise.


All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part,

And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart,

And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in,

And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again,

It's like the power of the wind.

:woot:

[bar Jonah]

Hey, Tony... Chantal and I have made plans to get together exactly one billion years... from yesterday afternoon. :grin:

You're welcome to join us! We'll have a beer and talk about old times! :cheers:

[The Laughing Man]

Absolutely awesome, Alien! May God bless you!

:party:

[Algesan]

Welcome aboard my brother.

[Sakarja]

Awesome, praise the Lord! Congratulations brother and may the Lord bless you.

[Alien]

Yesterday @ 11:36 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=359784#post359784)
RightIdea:

Hey, Tony... Chantal and I have made plans to get together exactly one billion years... from yesterday afternoon. :grin:

You're welcome to join us! We'll have a beer and talk about old times! :cheers:

That sounds good, but ..... I can't get pages for my organizer that far into the future! How will I remember it?? :teeth:

It's an interesting thought though, what will we be like after just a thousand years of God's presence, let alone a billion? I wonder if we will even be able to relate to the people we are now? Like, can you remember some childish tantrum you had when you were maybe three years old? Can you recreate the feelings now?

Sorry, got all philosophical there for a moment.

How do I feel today? Really peaceful, without the "zingyness" I had yesterday.

Thanks to everyone that posted since yesterday ... I feel very welcome. (That's part of it, isn't it? I didn't really understand "fellowship" before. I thought it was just friendship. It seems to be much more. :smile:)

[Archimedes]

Good luck on your journey Alien. May Christianity provide you that which was lacking in your previous life.

:thumb:

[Da Lone-Warrior]

Congradulations Alien, :teeth:

You mean you became a Christian, inspite of the wonderful collective witness of us here at TWeb? :wink:

God Bless and
a Happy New Year,

dlw

ps, feel free to pm me with tough questions if you got any...

dlw

[bar Jonah]

Alien:
That sounds good, but ..... I can't get pages for my organizer that far into the future! How will I remember it?? :teeth:

It's an interesting thought though, what will we be like after just a thousand years of God's presence, let alone a billion? I wonder if we will even be able to relate to the people we are now? Like, can you remember some childish tantrum you had when you were maybe three years old? Can you recreate the feelings now?

Sorry, got all philosophical there for a moment.

How do I feel today? Really peaceful, without the "zingyness" I had yesterday.

Thanks to everyone that posted since yesterday ... I feel very welcome. (That's part of it, isn't it? I didn't really understand "fellowship" before. I thought it was just friendship. It seems to be much more. :smile:)
It is true that one finds amazing joy just being in God's will. Much to my surprise, I found that I'd never even known what joy was. I had moments of more happiness and less happiness, but that's about it.

But... also know that when your old self dies on the cross with Christ -- crucified with Him for your sins -- and once you become a new creation in Him, life doesn't just get easier and nicer without any flip side.

But no matter what trials and tribulations you find in this world, always remember:

You are not strong enough.

You are not tough enough...
You are not wise enough...
You are not smart enough...
You are not brave enough
You are not knowledgeable enough...
You are not good enough...

But He is. And when you let His strength live through you, allow His wisdom to live through you... even when you lose the battles, it'll be alright. The war was won almost two millenia ago.

"It is finished." :smile:

Always know that NOTHING you ever do, and nothing in this whole world can make God love you more than He already does, or make you "more saved." And at the same time, NOTHING you ever do and nothing in this whole world can separate you from God. You are sealed by His Holy Spirit... and no man can undo what the Holy Spirit has sealed. Indeed, the things we do in this life affect the quality of our eternal life, for after all we should seek treasures for ourselves in Heaven, not here on Earth. Jesus Himself spoke of those who will be least in Heaven... and greatest. But know that you are adopted into Abraham's promise, now, just as Paul writes in Galatians. That metaphor had special meaning to the Greeks he was writing to. You see, in Greek culture, the natural son could be disowned. But an adopted son? No, he can never be disowned. Paul used that metaphor for a reason. Paul didn't write that we are reborn as the children of Abraham, but that we are adopted.

And the promise of Abraham? That God will simply be our God. :smile:


P.S. Yes, fellowship is something different, alright. It is family. You are family, Tony. My brother. It's a whole new relationship. You're still friends with all the Christians here at TW... but now you are part of something infinitely greater -- the Body of Christ here on Earth. :thumb:

[JardinPrayer]

First the joy, now the peace. How wonderful, Tony! There's nothing I love more than witnessing people making that transition from unbelief to God's own. It's still recent enough for me that I can relive it watching you experience it for the first time.

And on fellowship: That you understand it the way you do now tells me you're well on your way to thinking with your new mind!

[AtheistArchon]

- :noid:

- Am I missing something here? April isn't for another few months.

[Queen]

:lmbo: AA

Alien.......yippeeeeeeeeeeee


we are brother and sister!!!!!

:kizz: :dance:

LOLAS
Queen
:Q:

[India]

Don't worry, AA - you and Bob might be next, and then it will all become clear! :hamster:

(I warned ya about getting too close to them Christians... :wink:)

[bar Jonah]

Like I said, the water's fine. :lol:

[AtheistArchon]

Alien.......yippeeeeeeeeeeee


we are brother and sister!!!!!

- :eh: :hrm: :noid:

- Did you guys suffer some head trauma over the holidays or something?

[Bill the Cat]

Alien gave his life to Christ. Queen did too. Case you didn't hear...

[NSMinistries]

:lol:

[NSMinistries]

its all good...

[bar Jonah]

Yup!

Not must partly good, or mostly good...

But it's ALLLLLLLLLLLL good! :thumb:

[AtheistArchon]

Alien gave his life to Christ. Case you didn't hear...

- Color me skeptical. :noid: Who exactly convinced Alien there is such a thing as "Christ"?

- But I suppose it's not un-heard of. Alien and I will be having some really fantasic discussions in the apologetics forums if it happens to not be a joke.

[India]

AA, this thread pretty much sums up what happened with Alien:
http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15851

Knowing Alien, I kinda doubt you'll be seeing him in the apologetics forum anytime soon...

[AtheistArchon]

- Well. I suppose I missed the whole big event then.


Before responding to what you wrote, perhaps I should expand a little on my purposes for starting this thread. As at least two of you know, a few months ago I had an experience that ended sixty years of atheism

[...]

(though it did come as a response to prayer, which is why I attribute it God, rather than some random happenstance),

- I haven't finished reading that thread yet, but sounds to me like my kitchen table just got a convert. Kind of disappointing.

- I wonder what happened. Accident? Plane crash and someone he loved walked away unharmed? Napalm burns like that evangelist who converted in a VietNam hospital because he didn't die? Maybe he tells later on in the thread.


Knowing Alien, I kinda doubt you'll be seeing him in the apologetics forum anytime soon...

- I don't know why not. Alien has always been a rational kind of guy... if any can convert ME, it's a fellow skeptic.

- Er, former skeptic. :shifty:

- Alien should know that a firm belief should be able to weather attack, and seeing as he already knows most (if not all) of my tricks, he should have already considered them and have answered them satisfactorily in his journey from atheist to Christian. If this is true, then I daresay he has another convert on the way... me. Especially if his conversion was via something as easily-testable as prayer!

- Then again, maybe he hasn't solved the mysteries of supernaturalism after all.

[India]

I meant he's not big on evangelism and apologetics as of yet. He just became a Christian a few days ago, he's still sorting a lot of stuff out. Give him a break.

[AtheistArchon]

I meant he's not big on evangelism and apologetics as of yet. He just became a Christian a few days ago, he's still sorting a lot of stuff out. Give him a break.

- Not likely. :teeth: I don't give you "older" Christians a break. I just want to know what happened, specifically. If he doesn't want to explain it, then that's fine also... but that's not the Alien I know. And just think, he can walk me right through the whole atheist ---> Christian process.

- Anyhow. Drat. The EAC will not be pleased. Curses. Et-cetera.

[JardinPrayer]

AtheistArchon:
-Then again, maybe he hasn't solved the mysteries of supernaturalism after all.
I smell an oxymoron in there. Supernatural stuff is supposed to be mysterious! more than likely, what Alien realized is how to embrace the mystery rather than solve it. Toughest thing in the world for an atheist, I imagine.


India:
He just became a Christian a few days ago, he's still sorting a lot of stuff out. Give him a break.
Amen to that, India! This is a celebration thread!

[AtheistArchon]

I smell an oxymoron in there. Supernatural stuff is supposed to be mysterious! more than likely, what Alien realized is how to embrace the mystery rather than solve it. Toughest thing in the world for an atheist, I imagine.

- We'll find out. I've got a few other choice 'mysteries he can't solve' for him if that's all it is.

- Anyhow, my post in the apologetics forum is up, so I'll bow out of this one instead of driving it off-topic. Carry on.

[India]

AtheistArchon:
- Anyhow. Drat. The EAC will not be pleased. Curses. Et-cetera.

Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side. :teeth:

(You can stop the act, AA - we know the EAC has sent him in as a spy. Nice try. All the same, we're not returning him to you. :teeth: )

[Da Lone-Warrior]

AA, if you want to start a thread or a debate with me, you're more than welcome to do so.

dlw

[bar Jonah]

AtheistArchon:
- Not likely. :teeth: I don't give you "older" Christians a break. I just want to know what happened, specifically. If he doesn't want to explain it, then that's fine also... but that's not the Alien I know. And just think, he can walk me right through the whole atheist ---> Christian process.

- Anyhow. Drat. The EAC will not be pleased. Curses. Et-cetera.
Actually, it's very private and personal, so he may not share the details, to be honest.

[Mr. 5020]

Congrats Alien!

[JardinPrayer]

Of course, Alien himself hasn't even weighed in yet, but as one of the privileged few who "know the details," I'd have to say that the only details that count are that Jesus knocked and Alien answered.

[Alien]

AtheistArchon: - Not likely. I don't give you "older" Christians a break. I just want to know what happened, specifically. If he doesn't want to explain it, then that's fine also... but that's not the Alien I know. And just think, he can walk me right through the whole atheist ---> Christian process.

- Anyhow. Drat. The EAC will not be pleased. Curses. Et-cetera.

Sorry I didn't get to this sooner, I've been busy the last couple of days.

(What's an "archon", btw? I know, I'll look it up! ....... Hey, its really a word! M-W says:

1 : a chief magistrate in ancient Athens
2 : a presiding officer

Wow, that means you hold a senior position in the EAC! Can I submit my formal resignation to you? I've already sent my set of keys to the black helicopter back to the local office.)

Ok then, here's what happened. I was really bored one afternoon, my wife was out, and there didn't seem to be anything interesting on any of my usual TV channels. On a whim, I selected a religious channel and I was amazed at the power and conviction of the presenter. He said that if I would just become a Christian and send him lots of money, then God would reward me with riches beyond my wildest dreams! He even had Bible verses that supported it. I have to say that the verses seemed to be taken a little out of context, but hey, who can argue when getting rich with little or no effort is offered? It's the American Dream, after all! So, I sent him $1000, and he wrote back thanking me and assuring me that God would send my riches very soon. Well, I waited for a while but no riches appeared, so I wrote again. He told me that I needed to send him even more money, so I complied. After all, I heard that he lives in a huge mansion and flies around in Learjet, so God must have rewarded him! Renewed in my faith, I sent him more money, $10,000 this time. I'm still waiting for the riches, but I'm confident they will appear any time soon.

What's that? You wanted a serious answer? Oh, alright then.

Serious answer:

I was an atheist (de facto or declared) for most of my 62 years. I was never "indoctrinated" as a child. When asked why I was an atheist, I would reply that I had never seen any reason to believe in the existence of anything that could reasonably be given the label "god", so I took the default position.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed debate and what better subject than religion? It never gets settled, and so the discussions can go on for ever! When the usergroups got started on the Internet, I joined in happily and sent many hours debating with theists and fellow atheists. Occasionally a theist would start a thread with the question "What would it take for you to believe in God?". A good question (as is its reverse for theists). If you don't know what would negate your current belief you don't really know why you hold it. My response was always something to the effect that God would have to communicate with me, in a way that was convincing to me, here and now. Reports of miracles and ancient writings weren't going to cut it, no matter how much supposed evidence was produced for their veracity. Nor, incidentally, was the sincere testimony of others concerning their own experiences of God. These things are not transferable.

And so it went, until ....

At the urging of a Christian friend, I tried praying. My motivations were a mixture of curiosity, scientific investigation and an attempt to get her to stop bugging me about it. :smile: There was also a subtle urging that seemed to come back very time I talked myself out of doing it. Anyway eventually I did.

My prayer was incredibly general, and wasn't addressed to the Christian god or any other in particular .... I said that I didn't know if I was talking to anyone or not. I said that I had no expectations or belief, but that I was open to any communication that might result. I asked for help in understanding any response and also in changing any mental attitude that might be standing in the way of my receiving an answer. I said that I was making no demands, offering no deals and would wait as patiently as I could manage for a reply.

So I waited. At the same time something quite amazing was happening in my personal life (that's all the details you're going to get, sorry). It took me a while to connect the two things, but eventually it came to me that my prayer had been answered.

I continued to pray, and received various other communications in the form of mental "urgings". I started attending church. I must emphasise that I still had no idea what or who I was communicating with. All I knew was that I liked the results of doing so. (Analogy - if I plug a TV into a wall socket and a picture appears on the screen, I don't have to have a clue about electricity or how TVs work to want to continue doing so. I'm a pragmatist!).

Over the next few months I prayed a lot about what I should do next. Should I become a Christian? Any other religion? Stay as I was? Well, I kept getting urges to become Christian, and I kept pushing them away (various reasons, I'm a fence sitter by nature and not too brave where commitment is concerned). Eventually, all the good feelings started to slip away. I felt so bad one day that I prayed, almost in desperation, asking why He had deserted me. The response felt something like: "Hey, I've told you enough times and I'm getting tired of it. Either sh*t or get off the pot!" Later that day, I read the Bible verses that I quoted elsewhere and they seemed to speak to me. I realised that I was going to have to hold all my doubts in abeyance and just make a leap of faith. The rest is (recent) history. It still feels right, so I assuming I'm on the right track.

(Just a note about these "feelings and urges". There's a certainty associated with them that is impossible to explain to someone else. )

OK, that's it, essentially. I'll anticipate your response, which is exactly what I would have said a year ago: "That's all subjective and offers no evidence whatsoever to me. It's probably just something you have cooked up in your head". My answer: Yes, its subjective. Yes, I could be delusional. No there's not a shred of hard evidence.

Oh, and I haven't the slightest interest in "converting" you right now. I know that's one of the things that Christians are supposed to do, but I'm much too wet behind the ears myself to get into that. If you wanted to try the same "experiment" that I did (solely in the interest of leaving no avanue unexplored, of course) then I would encourage you to do so, but that's as far as I'm prepared to go.

Here's a thought, which came to me after all this happened, and which I was surprised to read later in CS Lewis' writings. How would you devise a scientific experiment to investigate God? When investigating rocks, its easy. They just lie there and you can do whatever you like to them. Animals are more difficult, they have wills of their own and you have to devise conditions that will negate their attempts not to be investigated. We're generally cleverer than animals though, so we do pretty well. How about investigating humans? Much more difficult, but we manage to a greater or lesser extent. Now, how to investigate a (hypothetical) being that not only is more intelligent and powerful the we are by orders of magnitude, but which knows what we are doing and intending at all times? I'd say that is close to impossible, unless the being actually cooperates in the experiment, and frankly, that makes it no experiment at all, we're just asking questions and hoping for replies.

Finally, to answer your question in your PM, no, this isn't some elaborate joke on Christians. I'm quite sincere.

[JardinPrayer]

:woohoo: Tony! Nicely done! Not only did you present yourself well, I can see you're strong enough in your newfound conviction that the inevitible barrage of atheist criticism and attempts to invalidate your statements will not take you down.

I wish they could see what you now do...you'll never find God by their criteria. The answer is in the leap. What better messenger for them than you?

:smitten:

[bar Jonah]

JardinPrayer:
Of course, Alien himself hasn't even weighed in yet, but as one of the privileged few who "know the details," I'd have to say that the only details that count are that Jesus knocked and Alien answered.
YUP!

(But they are pretty awesome details, if I do say so...) :thumb:

[India]

Alien:

My motivations were a mixture of curiosity, scientific investigation and an attempt to get her to stop bugging me about it. :smile:

I don't know what you're talking about, Alien, I would never pester any of my atheist friends... :lmbo:

[bar Jonah]

Of course, does anyone recall the first thing Paul did after his conversion, when the "scales" fell from his eyes?


I'll give you a clue... he didn't wait to be "discipled." :teeth:

[Alien]

Today @ 12:52 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=362167#post362167)
India:

I don't know what you're talking about, Alien, I would never pester any of my atheist friends... :lmbo:

Ahem! There's a strong Biblical injunction against lying, you know! :rofl:

[bar Jonah]

Wow, he's already rebuking fellow Christians with references to scripture. :wink:

[Alien]

No. Why don't you tell me?

[bar Jonah]

Well, aside from eating and regaining his physical strength...

Acts 9:20
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

:teeth:

[Alien]

Huh! I was going to guess that he wrote all the epistles and hurried down to the post office with them .... :teeth:

[Alien]

Today @ 01:09 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=362197#post362197)
RightIdea:

Wow, he's already rebuking fellow Christians with references to scripture. :wink:

Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have started a new denomination!

:rofl:

[JardinPrayer]

Alien:

RightIdea:
Wow, he's already rebuking fellow Christians with references to scripture. :wink:

Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have started a new denomination!

:rofl:

:haha: :rofl: :lol: :lmbo:

[bar Jonah]

Alien:
Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have started a new denomination!

:rofl:
The Alienists? :lol:


And no, he didn't start writing those letters until almost two decades later. His first, last and greatest priority was to share the gospel with others. And this is true for every Christian. Because people are dying out there. People we love very much. How much do you love a person as you quietly watch them get hit by a train, not saying a word of warning? How much do you really love them? :smile:

[RumTumTugger]

Alien: here's an atempt at an avatar and some links if you'd like to hunt around for something else.

ChrisChillin: Thanks for the Picture.

Luv if you can think of anything I missed let me know.

just a few for a start on looking.

1st link (http://webclipart.about.com/mlibrary.htm)

2nd Link (http://webclipart.about.com/library/weekly/blnewsub.htm)

3rd Link (http://webclipart.about.com/mmore.htm)

here's the Avatar.

[mossrose]

Dear Alien, I have been thinking a lot about your user name. Do you know how appropriate it is for you now? I don't know the reason why you had it before, but now it serves to address the fact that you are no longer really a citizen of this world, but of heaven!

You are just a stranger passing through a strange land, on your way home!

:butterfly:

[Alien]

Today @ 01:32 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=362232#post362232)
RightIdea:

The Alienists? :lol:

No ... it should be "The Alpha Centauri Baptists". Shoot, I'm not supposed to reveal where I come from! Sorry, I'm going to have to zap you all with my mind-altering ray ..... zzzzzzzp. OK, now whenever you read that you will think it says "The Alpha Centauri Baptists".



And no, he didn't start writing those letters until almost two decades later.

I know, it was just an attempt at humor.


His first, last and greatest priority was to share the gospel with others. And this is true for every Christian. Because people are dying out there. People we love very much. How much do you love a person as you quietly watch them get hit by a train, not saying a word of warning? How much do you really love them? :smile:

I have a feeling you're going somewhere with this Jim .... :hrm:

[mossrose]

Alien, don't you let anyone push you into doing any witnessing until you feel you are ready. You have so much to learn, and the Holy Spirit will show you. Besides, look at all the people you have impacted just by being you here on Tweb! The change in you is an incredible witness in itself!!

[RumTumTugger]

:RTTgenuis:

[Alien]

RTT,

Thank you! Erm ...... "Homecoming" has only two "m"s. How do I edit these things? I don't seem to have any software to do it .....

Also, all these sites seem to want you to get permission or pay for the images.

Also ..... (sorry to be a pain) if I had a picture I wanted to use, how would I cut it down to size?

(Bet you wish you hadn't started this .... drop it if you wish).

[Alien]

Mossrose: Dear Alien, I have been thinking a lot about your user name. Do you know how appropriate it is for you now? I don't know the reason why you had it before, but now it serves to address the fact that you are no longer really a citizen of this world, but of heaven!

You are just a stranger passing through a strange land, on your way home!


I originally chose it because I have always felt "alienated" from people in general (like no one understands me .... boo hoo poor me). :violin:

Also it was short and snappy and easy for people to type when replying. As a matter of fact, if I had it to do again I would just use my real name, but when I joined the site it seemed like the thing to do to have a pseudonym.

Anyway, its good to know that it now has a "higher" meaning. :smile:


Alien, don't you let anyone push you into doing any witnessing until you feel you are ready. You have so much to learn, and the Holy Spirit will show you. Besides, look at all the people you have impacted just by being you here on Tweb! The change in you is an incredible witness in itself!!

Thanks for the advice. Don't worry, agreeable though I may appear to be, I tend not to do things I don't want to, and I'm not too fond of being pressured. (A mental picture of a mule digging it's feet in would be appropriate here!)

:smile:

Here's a joke you may like better than the last one .....

A man was travelling on a airplane when it ran into really bad turbulence and was tossed all over the sky. He happened to be seated next to a Minister, so he turned to him and said "Isn't there something you can do???" The Minister replied "Sorry, I'm in sales, not administration!"

[mossrose]

:applaud:

[Lazy Agnostic]

Did you ever find yourself thinking about a friend when the phone rings---and it's that person? "Cosmic!"

But what about all the times you thought of him---and he DIDN'T call?

Those who appear most-edified by their faith are those who at some point, and some degree, learn how to gently push-aside ego/ordinary thoughts.

It seems, though, that the spiritual/theological underpinnings one assigns are irrelevant.

[bar Jonah]

mossrose:
Alien, don't you let anyone push you into doing any witnessing until you feel you are ready. You have so much to learn, and the Holy Spirit will show you. Besides, look at all the people you have impacted just by being you here on Tweb! The change in you is an incredible witness in itself!!
I wasn't pushing anyone into anything. I simply pointed out the scriptural example -- what Paul did. He didn't wait. He rushed right out. :ri:


Lazy Agnostic:
It seems, though, that the spiritual/theological underpinnings one assigns are irrelevant.
Keep telling yourself that, LA. :wink:

Better yet... c'mon in! The water's fine! :joy:

[Jedidiah]

Tony,

I have to add my welcome as well. I am not close to anyone here, but I appreciate ALL my family. Good to hear that you are now a brother.

Your conversion experience seems familiar in some ways. Atheists often believe that we who become Christians are those who were so indoctrinated as children. I never even heard the gospel until I was 28.

I also began praying to one I really did not believe in. I began praying because I began to suspect there might be someone to hear.

Most of my life I sought the truth and was surprised to find the truth was a person, not some impersonal understanding.

Thank you, Lord, for both a new brother and a new sister.

beeman (Tom)

[AcousticJS]

Amen! Two new family members :joy:

And they're just the ones we know about!

Love and God bless
Jon

[Lazy Agnostic]

Yesterday @ 11:43 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=362599#post362599)
RightIdea:
Keep telling yourself that, LA.
Ditto


Better yet... c'mon in! The water's fine!
Actually the water is quite polluted and the lifeguards keep pooping in the pool.

Been there. I just can't sacrifice the Creator's gift of Reason on the altar of myth and superstition.

You keep paddling; I can float on my back.

[bar Jonah]

Lazy Agnostic:
Actually the water is quite polluted and the lifeguards keep pooping in the pool.

Been there. I just can't sacrifice the Creator's gift of Reason on the altar of myth and superstition.

You keep paddling; I can float on my back.
Okay, if you're sure! :smile:


Just watch out for those rapids up ahead. :tongue: :wink:

[JardinPrayer]

Here are a couple more avatar ideas for ya Alien. I like this one for you because it seems to reflect your immediate state:

[JardinPrayer]

Here's another choice, though it may depict stuff you're not identifying with quite yet.

[JardinPrayer]

And my personal favorite. I cobbled this together for ya. If you look real close, you're the pilot. This is incase you were feeling humorous!

[bar Jonah]

God reaching out and touching man? Sounds exactly like what he's been experiencing. :ri:

[bar Jonah]

JardinPrayer:
And my personal favorite. I cobbled this together for ya. If you look real close, you're the pilot. This is incase you were feeling humorous!
O! That is awesome! That totally has my vote! :lol:

:thumb:

[JardinPrayer]

RightIdea:

God reaching out and touching man? Sounds exactly like what he's been experiencing. :ri:

I meant accepting Genesis 1 as fact.

[Da Lone-Warrior]

Hey Alien,

you could try the name Sojourner,

dlw

[bar Jonah]

Well, I doubt he considers it a lie... he simply interprets it differently. :smile:

[mossrose]

I wasn't pushing anyone into anything. I simply pointed out the scriptural example -- what Paul did. He didn't wait. He rushed right out.

I wasn't specifically thinking of you RI. Just thinking that because of what Alien said, he wasn't quite ready to fill Paul's shoes yet. Sorry!!!




:frown:

[JardinPrayer]

I'm growing increasingly amused at how we're all making assumptions on what Tony probably thinks, feels, and believes. We're like a bunch of over-protective older siblings! :smile:

[India]

:lol: Jardin! I've been feeling like a mother bear guarding her cub this week!

[Alien]

Hi all,

Hey I had (participated in? What's the correct phrase?) my first communion today!

Lynn, I love the spaceship!!!! I've saved the other ones, but that's my favorite by far. Thank you!

It's a neat picture anyway ... but here's how I see the symbology....

- It's heading away from earth.
- I'm looking forward (searching for the right course?)
- The cross on the front of the spaceship signifies the "port of registration"

I had no trouble setting it up, as you can see.

The "hands" one is a detail from Michelangelo (Sistene chapel?) no? I like it a lot and may use it next. I do see it as God contacting man, was it meant to be the creation of Adam? As far as Gen 1 is concerned, I'm not too bothered about the exact meaning just yet and may never be. Lazy Agnostic, there's no way I would "sacrifice the Creator's gift of Reason on the altar of myth and superstition", perish the thought. I cannot think my Creator would want me to do that either. To me, its a question of whether one is prepared to apply one's reason to areas and evidence that fall outside our previous experience. But this is not a "debate" thread.

Love-Warrior: Thanks for the suggestion, but I like "Alien" and everyone is used to it, so I'm keeping it. Actually, I did consider "Throatwobbler-Mangrove" for a while but, attractive as it is, I decided against it. (Anyone recognise where that comes from?)

Beeman (and others): Thanks for the welcome. Maybe we should have a chat one day about how you "got started". :smile:

India: Here's something interesting about bears. Bears mate in the fall, gestation continues during winter hibernation, and the cubs (typically two) are born in the spring. One of the greatest dangers to the young bears are the male bears, so Mama Bear teaches the cubs to climb a tree on a signal from her and stay there. Though the male bears can climb, they weigh too much to reach the small branches that the cubs can climb to. The cubs are trained not to come down until she tells them. Well, two seasons later, the now well grown young bears are still following her around, and will continue to do so. She feels the urge to mate again, so she sends them up a tree, goes away and .... doesn't come back! When hunger finally forces them down (this can take over a day) she is several mountains away, and the cubs start their adult life without her.

I tell this to parents who have grown children that show no sign of moving out. You may remember it one day! :teeth:

(Nothing to do with the subject in hand but I always think of this when people mention bears and their cubs.)

[emulator]

ever wonder what it's like to see the whole host of heaven celebrating??? i do; sounds good, sounds very good. :smile:

[bar Jonah]

You've seen that, have you? :lol:

[JardinPrayer]

Alien:
Hey I had (participated in? What's the correct phrase?) my first communion today!
You can say, "I took communion." You can also say, "I celebrated communion." I've heard some say, "I received communion," but I see it as more of a 2-way street.


Lynn, I love the spaceship!!!! Thank you!
You're welcome. I'm so glad I could be the one to provide your first avatar. If you want to design another one, let me know in PM and we'll put our heads together.


The "hands" one is a detail from Michelangelo (Sistene chapel?) no? I like it a lot and may use it next. I do see it as God contacting man, was it meant to be the creation of Adam?
Yes, it's Michelangelo, and yes, it's from the Sistene chapel. I believe that part of the mural is known as "The creation of Adam." It's definitely intended to depict God and Adam. Still, I would suspect you'd have as much doubt about God looking like an old guy with a long white beard (as he is depicted in this piece) as it being an accurate illustration of how we got here.



As far as Gen 1 is concerned, I'm not too bothered about the exact meaning just yet and may never be.
I predict you will be some day.


...so she sends them up a tree, goes away and .... doesn't come back! When hunger finally forces them down (this can take over a day) she is several mountains away, and the cubs start their adult life without her.
My mom did that to me when I was about 9. It's still a very painful memory. I can't go near trees anymore, for one thing. I'm sure she thought it was for my own good. I hope she's happy now...wherever she is. :wink:

[RumTumTugger]

01-03-2004 @ 05:52 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=362464#post362464)
Alien:

RTT,

Thank you! Erm ...... &quot;Homecoming&quot; has only two &quot;m&quot;s. How do I edit these things? I don't seem to have any software to do it .....

Also, all these sites seem to want you to get permission or pay for the images.

Also ..... (sorry to be a pain) if I had a picture I wanted to use, how would I cut it down to size?

(Bet you wish you hadn't started this .... drop it if you wish).

I spelled it with more then 2 M's :doh: sorry about that. I"ll fix it for as soon as I get home tonight it was done in PSP7 and due to the merging I'll have to redo text(dont' worry that's not as hard as it may seem, as I've got the work in progress still on my computer.)

On for the links I'll have to go through my other favorites I thougth some of those didn't mind as long as it's not for commercial purposes I have others that will be ok.

If you have a picture youwant to use that is to large you can use the avatar resizer Tweb(It's under the avatar square in your control panel named Avatar Creator) has that will automatically size it for you. although any good graphic program should do it I use PSP7 and use the resize graphic function myself. this Avatar I made is already sized for Tweb.

And Alien I got PSP7 because I enjoyed doing things like this. I learned from a very dear friend of mine the joy of creating something special for my friends both old and new. :smile:

[RumTumTugger]

Jardin Prayer those avatars are wonderful I may just capture them for future use when I get home if you don't mind I love having such graphics as a base and then adding to them.

[mossrose]

ever wonder what it's like to see the whole host of heaven celebrating???

I wonder too, Emulator. It must be a glorious sight, far beyond our imagination! I think the shepherd's saw it on the hillsides of Bethlehem. Wonder if anyone else has seen it, yet? Of those still on this earth, I mean......

[Alien]

Today @ 10:35 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=363941#post363941)
JardinPrayer:

Yes, it's Michelangelo, and yes, it's from the Sistene chapel. I believe that part of the mural is known as &quot;The creation of Adam.&quot; It's definitely intended to depict God and Adam. Still, I would suspect you'd have as much doubt about God looking like an old guy with a long white beard (as he is depicted in this piece) as it being an accurate illustration of how we got here.

I doubt anyone thinks God looks like an old man with a white beard! There is whole spectrum of belief within that of creation, however.


I predict you will be some day.

No I won't, no I won't, nyah, nyah, nyah! :teeth:


My mom did that to me when I was about 9. It's still a very painful memory. I can't go near trees anymore, for one thing. I'm sure she thought it was for my own good. I hope she's happy now...wherever she is. :wink:

That's not nice! The bears are ready to be "abandoned" and benefit from it!

[Alien]

Thanks RTT!!

[JardinPrayer]

RumTumTugger:

Jardin Prayer those avatars are wonderful I may just capture them for future use when I get home if you don't mind
My personal philosophy is that images were made to be captured! Be my guest!


Alien:
No I won't, no I won't, nyah, nyah, nyah! :teeth:
:lol: ... :noid:


That's not nice! The bears are ready to be "abandoned" and benefit from it!
My we're sensitive about the bears! Actually, I think I benefited from it in the long haul. Just look at me! :grin:

[RumTumTugger]

Today @ 11:28 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=364105#post364105)
Alien:

Thanks RTT!!

You are welcome Ill post the fixed avatar tonight incase you'd like to have a different one for later on.

I think the one you have now is nice, Jardin did good work.

[RumTumTugger]

Thanks JardinPrayer. I'll think of you when I use them.

[Alien]

Today @ 12:39 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=364115#post364115)
JardinPrayer:

My we're sensitive about the bears! Actually, I think I benefited from it in the long haul. Just look at me! :grin:

I meant your mom wasn't nice. You've benefited? Didn't you say you were frightened of trees? :huh:

[JardinPrayer]

You can't talk about my mother that way! And it's darned healthy to be afraid of trees...you never know if they're gonna throw apples at you or something. Better off keeping your distance, I say!


:huh: What were we talking about in this thread? :huh:

[Bob Jenkins]

Today @ 04:55 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=364274#post364274)
JardinPrayer:

You can't talk about my mother that way! And it's darned healthy to be afraid of trees...you never know if they're gonna throw apples at you or something. Better off keeping your distance, I say!


:huh: What were we talking about in this thread? :huh:

Gail recently took a masters course in forest biology. I would never had left her take the course had I known that trees were so dangerous

Now she can identify a particular tree at 30 yards. Is that too close?

[bar Jonah]

Depends on which forest she's in. :lol: (And whether a yellow brick road winds through it, of course.)

[JardinPrayer]

30 yards seems a safe distance. If she's a bona fide forest biologist, she may be our best defense! :lol:

[India]

I didn't know trees were such dangerous things. My parents often plant new trees in their yard, and nicknamed their walnut tree "Old Wally" - should I be afraid for them? :egad:

[RumTumTugger]

Oh dear we have a old palm tree in our small postage stamp sized back yard how dangerous is that?

[bar Jonah]

Anyone who's read The Fellowship of the Ring knows... willow trees can be particularly dangerous. :grin:

[Alien]

Today @ 03:20 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=364315#post364315)
RightIdea:

Anyone who's read The Fellowship of the Ring knows... willow trees can be particularly dangerous. :grin:

Are they related to the Whomping Willow from "Harry Potter"? :smile:

[RumTumTugger]

Distant cousins probably since whomping willow doesn't eat those is catches.

[bar Jonah]

Alien:
Are they related to the Whomping Willow from "Harry Potter"? :smile:
Gosh, where ever did Rowling get that idea?

[JardinPrayer]

Look how Alien's thread has degraded! And it's his own fault for bringing up the bear thing!

India: If the tree has a name, it is automatically dangerous. Tell them to sell their home immediately!

RTT: Old palm trees, in my experience, are pretty harmless. It's the trees with low branches you have to look out for!

Jim & Tony: Willows are bad news no matter who's writing them. Ents, however, are cool. Too bad they're a work of fiction so we can't really trust trees that may look like Ents in reality.

[India]

JardinPrayer:

Look how Alien's thread has degraded! And it's his own fault for bringing up the bear thing!


But that only means he's really one of us now. :lol:

[RumTumTugger]

Alien here's the corrected homecoming avatar Hope you like it.

[Alien]

Thanks for the image, RTT, I've filed it for future use. :smile:

[RumTumTugger]

You're Welcome Alien. :smile:

[Twinsfan1]

I sent you a PM, but also wanted to "publicly" say welcome to the family!

I'm very excited for you and your journey.

[Jedidiah]

Alien,


Beeman (and others): Thanks for the welcome. Maybe we should have a chat one day about how you &quot;got started&quot;. :smile:

Any time brother.

[One Bad Pig]

:gravedigger:

[Dee Dee Warren]

we have aliens among us

[Xmansmommy]

I haven't read the entire thread and I know that it's old but Tony has been an amazing friend to me over the years and I am so thankful that he came to know God. What a powerful story of hope and transformation!

I love you, Tony. :hug:

[Alien]

I haven't read the entire thread and I know that it's old but Tony has been an amazing friend to me over the years and I am so thankful that he came to know God. What a powerful story of hope and transformation!

I love you, Tony. :hug:

2004! That's a long time ago. So many changes ... a journey through Christianity, an all too short retirement, a divorce, back to work at the same company, a new house, a new partner, I'll be 70 next year .... and always my dear friend Linda.

Oh, I'm a Satanist now. (Just kidding).

I love you too.

[Alien]

we have aliens among us

Just one as far as I know. The rest of the spaceship crew dumped me off here because I was such a pain in the donkey. :wink:

[mossrose]

:flowers: