I agree with Edmund.  Amen to "if it weren't a gift, I would never have eternal life."

Thanks, Jack. 

Hey, everyone!  I've been off a couple of days due to being out of town for my birthday.  We went to Great Wolf Lodge and King's Island (a water park and an amusement park).  I had to catch up; so, I'm sorry I wasn't able to share in the discussions.

Something Jack said yesterday about the guy saying we shouldn't eat meat sounded directly from what God said about what people would say in the Last Days:

It just stuck with me.  Everything is unfolding right before our very eyes, and I feel blessed to witness it.

Great briefing, today, Jack.  I try to put myself in other's shoes, and I realize that they HAVE to have the Holy Spirit; or otherwise it's just "good teachings" or words.

Also, it's evident that when Man thinks he is doing the right thing without instruction from God, it ends up being destruction.  Some people think they're actually doing good to spread the wealth and impose bigger government; when all it does is cause more corruption.  It promotes laziness, dependency, and entitlement.  Basically, it makes the US a "me, me, me" nation instead of "free."

Becky, good comments! 

Also, I'm so glad you had a nice birthday.  Sounds like you had a nice little vacation getaway for your family. 

The simplicity of the Gospel is about the only thing I do get it seems. 

I still sin.  And I hate it.  And I've realized something about that.  This hating my sin(s), takes my eyes completely off of Christ and places them squarely upon myself as if can punish myself for something He already paid for.  This is the worst kind of pride isn't it?  Indeed, who can save me from the body of this death?

I heard a story about a chinese Christian lady who was sentenced to clean the sewer for the rest of her life.  A pastor visiting her asked if she needed anything.  She said she wanted to him to pray with her, so he did.  Then she prayed "praise you, praise you, thank you, thank you" the pastor asked if he could give her anything and she said she needed a bible.  He told her he'd get her one.  She had nothing and all she wanted was a complete copy of the word.  He ended up giving her a t-shirt bound hastily sewn together from 6 other bibles.  He thought it looked horrible.  but she recieved it with weeping and thanks and praise.

I thank God for Christ and I praise Him.  The simplicity of her prayer infected me as much as the realization that He loves us so much that He made the narrow road so easy to find; not easy to walk upon but easy to find.

Thank you Jack.  God Bless

Thanks, Georgia!  You are such a doll!

Warren, good points!  We definitely need to keep our eyes on Christ!