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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Hell: A small group experience in spiritual formation
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The Bede's American Successor
Curmudgeon-in-Training
# 5042
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Posted
OK. It's Tuesday. Morning. I need my weekly installment of Sine Joins a Coven.
Sine, you know you are here to make us happy, don't you?
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This was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride of wealth and food in plenty, comfort and ease, and yet she never helped the poor and the wretched.
—Ezekiel 16.49
Posts: 6079 | From: The banks of Possession Sound | Registered: Oct 2003
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
I'm chewing on last night's class (see above) and should have it digested by this evening.
p.s.: Were not we all put here to make each other happy? True joy comes from the giving of ourselves to others. So I've been told.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Peronel
The typo slayer
# 569
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
True joy comes from the giving of ourselves to others. So I've been told.
That explains the german cannibal, then.
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Lord, I have sinned, and mine iniquity.
Deserves this hell; yet Lord deliver me.
Posts: 2367 | From: A self-inflicted exile | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
I got two things out of our lesson this week.
This isn't supposed to be group therapy, yet the very first thing we do each week is tell how God is working in our lives, particularly in terms of the week's lessons.
Asking how God is working in your life is like waving a red flag in front of a bull in this group. Open invitation to wander all over the place, occasionally touching base with the lessons. Ms. Mystical is particularly bad about this, with Softball Girl being a close second. Also, I've decided Ms. Mystical has tinted contact lenses, which I find unnerving.
Our scripture readings for our first venture into lectio divina were rather unfortunate, I thought. Especially for beginner spiritualists like moi. I'm not even totally convinced that Jesus is God Incarnate and we had to read and meditate on the Ravens being fed, and the lilies of the field being robed in splendor. Just don't worry about a damn thing because God is going to take care of you.
Naturally when I tried to meditate on these passages I thought about every massacre of Christians I've ever read about. Every natural disaster, every famine, every invasion of the Mongols, etc. Wasn't very uplifting.
I shared honestly, unfortunately after two coven members had already shared how wonderful it was to trust in Jesus. When I finished, the rector said "Sine, I appreciate your candor." I realized that she's been saying that to me for eight years now. I never hear her say it to anybody else. I'm starting to think it's code for something else.
This was the oddest thing, though. We practiced lectio divina on Philippians 2:1-11.
Several people took great exception to the part about "in humility regard others as better than yourselves." Smiley Boy particularly. But he wasn't the only one.
Now, of course, I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, spiritually speaking, but even I know that you have to have humility and the willingness to be a servant, emptying yourself of pride so Christ can enter.
But that passage really stuck in their craws. So I mentioned something about Maundy Thursday foot-washing and servanthood. Not of course that I would ever do something so yucky, but in theory I know I should.
So I ended up getting back some of the spiritual points I had lost by not trusting that Jesus would pay my car insurance and VISA bill.
In fact, I may have gained a little moral high ground. And my new spiral notebook looked very sincere. I made sure to use a couple of different pens when I made my entries on Saturday, and I enjoyed flipping back and forth among the pages looking for that special deep thought to share.
I'm actually starting to enjoy being spiritual.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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RooK
1 of 6
# 1852
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Posted
It seems obvious me to that what we need to develop some systematic way to help guide Sine spiritually. I speak specifically about the spiritual points he referred to.
I suggest that we compile an exhaustive sample list of pertinent items, and assign them spiritual points for Sine to contemplate. To assist him in recognizing these spiritual points in action during his future sessions, I think we should arrange it in a BINGO format.
Can't you just imagine it? There's Sine, looking all interested in everything people are saying, meanwhile covertly noting his SoF Spiritual Bingo card. He could report back if he got a BINGO, or a blackout, or whatever other bingo terms apply. That way, while Sine is learning to recognize spiritual points, we get an objective measure of how spiritual his sessions are.
Actually, if it works out, perhaps we could propose it as a form of Mystery Worship review...
[ 10. December 2003, 01:35: Message edited by: RooK ]
Posts: 15274 | From: Portland, Oregon, USA, Earth | Registered: Nov 2001
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
When I finished, the rector said "Sine, I appreciate your candor." I realized that she's been saying that to me for eight years now. I never hear her say it to anybody else. I'm starting to think it's code for something else.
I know exactly how you feel. I've heard this from three (count 'em, three!) priests in a row in my parish. I think it's code for "That's probably all the candor we can handle this evening; do us all a favor and keep the rest to yourself."
quote:
I'm actually starting to enjoy being spiritual.
Are you sure you're doing it right?
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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JimT
Ship'th Mythtic
# 142
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
I enjoyed flipping back and forth among the pages looking for that special deep thought to share.
Here's a thought. Flip back and say, "You know I was thinking about this class and I started a little fragment of verse but can't seem to figure out how to end it...let's see...oh yes here it is:
The Sun kisses the morning sky,
The birds kiss the butterflies,
The dew kisses the morning grass..."
If someone snorts violently and quickly apologizes, you know you've found a friend.
Posts: 2619 | From: Now On | Registered: May 2001
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Sarkycow
La belle Dame sans merci
# 1012
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
I got two things out of our lesson this week.
This isn't supposed to be group therapy, yet the very first thing we do each week is tell how God is working in our lives, particularly in terms of the week's lessons.
Asking how God is working in your life is like waving a red flag in front of a bull in this group. Open invitation to wander all over the place, occasionally touching base with the lessons. Ms. Mystical is particularly bad about this, with Softball Girl being a close second. Also, I've decided Ms. Mystical has tinted contact lenses, which I find unnerving.
And why don't you share in the same way as them? After all, what happens to you in the week is important, and it would be mightily upifting for them to hear about it. For example:
quote:
As I've gone through this week I've just really felt that God is just really been like by my side all the time, and I've just really been able to just like talk with Him about anything. Nothing is too big for Him to handle, and nothing is too small for Him to care about.
pause to look spiritual - best practise this in front of a mirror ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
Last Thursday I got so lost in my quiet time, just sitting with God and really sharing quality time together, when He laid on my heart the fact I was late. But He was amazing - the bus was late, arriving at the bust stop as I did, and then the journey into work was the fastest it's ever been. I was able to cross every road as I got there, and the lift up to my office was waiting for me when I arrived. As I sat down at my desk, dead on time, I thanked the Lord, and I just really felt Him saying to me: "Sine, you are my child and I just love you. Nothing in your life is too small for me to care about, and I wanted to honour you for your faithful worship of me."
Isn't God amazing?
pause for that spiritual look again, mixed with a serene smile.
See, simple really Just practise that spiritual look ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
quote:
Just don't worry about a damn thing because God is going to take care of you.
Naturally when I tried to meditate on these passages I thought about every massacre of Christians I've ever read about. Every natural disaster, every famine, every invasion of the Mongols, etc. Wasn't very uplifting.
Perhaps those people didn't have enough faith in God? Just really trust Him, Sine, and He'll tak care of you.
Sarkycow
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“Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.”
Posts: 10787 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
And why don't you share in the same way as them? After all, what happens to you in the week is important, and it would be mightily upifting for them to hear about it.
The problem is I'm the only one in the group who seems to be angry a lot. Except for Stay at Home Mom, whose baby girl almost died. She actually used the word "bullshit", which I found refreshing. I think she's probably my secret ally.
Softball Girl has years of experience sharing with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and church camps. She's got it down to an art. She talks breathlessly at the wonder of it all, while her hands flutter in amazement and her eyes make contact with each group member in turn. It's very sincere.
I can't compete with that.
Not that it's a competition or anything. Heavens no.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Tortuf
Ship's fisherman
# 3784
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Posted
I think you ought to go in for the brooding, obviously deeply sad and worn out soul routine. You can say just about nothing except cryptic comments that allude to a troubling event in your past and then look soulfully at anyone who tries to communicate with you.
If you need a line to use for this try "I saw something nasty in the woodshed." It has worked in the past.
Posts: 6963 | From: The Venice of the South | Registered: Dec 2002
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Sarkycow
La belle Dame sans merci
# 1012
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
The problem is I'm the only one in the group who seems to be angry a lot.
Anger isn't Godly. You're meant to be a Shiny Happy Christian.
Haven't you learnt this already?
How am I meant to work with such poor material?
Clearly Softball Girl has the dibs on breathy wonder, so perhaps you should try for deep and sincere joy. That can be faked fairly easily.
Sarkycow, still trying to help Sine, despite his destructive efforts.
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“Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.”
Posts: 10787 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
perhaps you should try for deep and sincere joy. That can be faked fairly easily.
I understand it's easier for women to fake it.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Scot
Deck hand
# 2095
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
You're meant to be a Shiny Happy Christian.
Are you suggesting that Sine should prepare for coven by polishing himself until he's happy?
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“Here, we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” - Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 9515 | From: Southern California | Registered: Jan 2002
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by RooK:
It seems obvious me to that what we need to develop some systematic way to help guide Sine spiritually. I speak specifically about the spiritual points he referred to.
I suggest that we compile an exhaustive sample list of pertinent items, and assign them spiritual points for Sine to contemplate. To assist him in recognizing these spiritual points in action during his future sessions, I think we should arrange it in a BINGO format.
Can't you just imagine it? There's Sine, looking all interested in everything people are saying, meanwhile covertly noting his SoF Spiritual Bingo card. He could report back if he got a BINGO, or a blackout, or whatever other bingo terms apply. That way, while Sine is learning to recognize spiritual points, we get an objective measure of how spiritual his sessions are.
Actually, if it works out, perhaps we could propose it as a form of Mystery Worship review...
Wow! And just think of the Circus Game possibilities as well! ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif) ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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tomb
Shipmate
# 174
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
perhaps you should try for deep and sincere joy. That can be faked fairly easily.
I understand it's easier for women to fake it.
For heaven's sake, we're not talking orgasms here, Sine!
Are we?
Posts: 5039 | From: Denver, Colorado | Registered: May 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
By her own admission Sarkycow can easily fake "deep and sincere joy".
So you tell me.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Pyx_e
Quixotic Tilter
# 57
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Posted
I hate this thread, due to its week by week nature. It is impossible to read from the last post backwards and make any sense. sigh.
P
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It is better to be Kind than right.
Posts: 9778 | From: The Dark Tower | Registered: May 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
It pains me more than I can say that you hate this thread, brother Pyx_e.
I will get up an additional fifteen minutes earlier in the morning to pray for you, before I start my lectio divina.
I hope the Lord will root out this canker from your heart.
p.s.: Did you know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile?
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Alt Wally
Cardinal Ximinez
# 3245
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Posted
quote:
said the abominator: I hate this thread
If all the words here could be transferred to canvas, I know there's a hotel somewhere we could fill.
The tears of a clown my friend.
Posts: 3684 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Belisarius
Lord Bountiful of Admin (Emeritus) Delights
# 32
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
Did you know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile?
But only four muscles to give someone the finger.
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Animals may be Evolution's Icing, but Bacteria are the Cake.
Andrew Knoll
Posts: 8080 | From: New York | Registered: May 2001
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RooK
1 of 6
# 1852
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Posted
Woo, now there's some negative spiritual points if I ever saw 'em.
Posts: 15274 | From: Portland, Oregon, USA, Earth | Registered: Nov 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
Poor Belisarius. He doesn't get out of Heaven much. And on top of that the Coot and Stoo are the really popular Heavenly Hosts. It's no wonder he's a little bitter. Bless his heart.
I'll pray for him too.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Pyx_e
Quixotic Tilter
# 57
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Posted
If you pray for me I will super-glue the cheeks of your arse together while you sleep.
P
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It is better to be Kind than right.
Posts: 9778 | From: The Dark Tower | Registered: May 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
Proverbs 15
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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RooK
1 of 6
# 1852
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Posted
And a hot patient disorders orderlies.
Posts: 15274 | From: Portland, Oregon, USA, Earth | Registered: Nov 2001
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KenWritez
Shipmate
# 3238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pyx_e:
If you pray for me I will super-glue the cheeks of your arse together while you sleep.
Pyx, I pray for you but I don't sleep, so bring it on! ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
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"The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be a shepherd." --Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction
My blog: http://oxygenofgrace.blogspot.com
Posts: 11102 | From: Left coast of Wonderland, by the rabbit hole | Registered: Aug 2002
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Pyx_e
Quixotic Tilter
# 57
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Posted
I just need to save up for a 5 gallon tube of glue and I will be over.
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It is better to be Kind than right.
Posts: 9778 | From: The Dark Tower | Registered: May 2001
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JimT
Ship'th Mythtic
# 142
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Posted
Did no one catch the reference to Sister Mary Oliphant from the first Cheech and Chong album Big Bambu?
Or have I mind melded with Martin PC Not, as Pyx_e suspects?
Posts: 2619 | From: Now On | Registered: May 2001
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Belisarius
Lord Bountiful of Admin (Emeritus) Delights
# 32
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Posted
Actually, I did catch the reference (the routine also mentions Sister Rosetta Stone).
Cheech and Chong on a spiritual formation thread--what a tangent...
[typo]
[ 11. December 2003, 18:43: Message edited by: Belisarius ]
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Animals may be Evolution's Icing, but Bacteria are the Cake.
Andrew Knoll
Posts: 8080 | From: New York | Registered: May 2001
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RooK
1 of 6
# 1852
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Posted
Makes for an amusing image of next week's coven.
[knock knock]
Uuuuuuuh... Who is it?
Sine.
Uuuuuuuh... Sine's not here!
Posts: 15274 | From: Portland, Oregon, USA, Earth | Registered: Nov 2001
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Duo Seraphim*
Sea lawyer
# 3251
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Posted
I think I may have Sine's first spiritual Bingo card here. It came to me...let's not go into that.
Triple points
bestest buddy
moral high ground
productive meditation
try to hear God speaking to me
Double points
the gift of God's word
utter sincerity
spiritual journal
Single points
journeying with us
silent prayer
Null points
I just want to hold up [name] to Jesus
Thank you for your candour
[thought of one more]
[ 11. December 2003, 23:41: Message edited by: Duo Seraphim ]
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2^8, eight bits to a byte
Posts: 3967 | From: Sydney Australia | Registered: Aug 2002
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Cranmer's baggage*
Shipmate
# 4937
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pyx_e:
It is impossible to read from the last post backwards and make any sense.
Pyx_e, do you read threads backwards to check for secret messages from The Evil One?
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Eschew obfuscation!
Posts: 729 | From: the antipodes | Registered: Sep 2003
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Pyx_e
Quixotic Tilter
# 57
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Posted
Sarkie leaves secret messages? I thought she just said them out loud!
P
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It is better to be Kind than right.
Posts: 9778 | From: The Dark Tower | Registered: May 2001
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jlg
What is this place?
Why am I here?
# 98
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Posted
Recently at a weekday mass the readings were from the Isaiah bits that start off the Messiah ("every valley shall be exalted and the mountains made low" etc) combined with a reinforcing NT and Gospel reading. Our priest, in his mini-homily, emphasized how we should use Advent to look forward to being brought up from our poverty and lowliness. But I couldn't help thinking that our little band of warmly dressed, well-fed people with time to be at daily mass in our pleasant, heated, church building were more likely to be part of the group that will be "made low".
Perhaps, Sine, you could find an opening to discuss whether people who have enough time and wealth to own or even know about such things as sterling ice-cream forks should perhaps focus on aspects of the Gospel other than "Jesus loves me and everything's gonna be alright!".
Does your course have a section on examination of conscience?
Posts: 17391 | From: Just a Town, New Hampshire, USA | Registered: May 2001
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Sarkycow
La belle Dame sans merci
# 1012
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Posted
Jlg, Sine's had enough of being a cynical, obnoxious lil bastard; he wants to be a sunbeam for Jesus, that's why he's joined the coven
Pyx_e, you're on my christmas card list now
Sarkycow
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“Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.”
Posts: 10787 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
Jen, that's the problem. So far it's all been about how God can make me feel better about myself. Which is bullshit, in my opinion. One can be a miserable wreck and still be out in the world, helping the people Jesus said to help.
And yes, I know, I should sell the ice cream forks and give the money to the poor. I'm just not there yet.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
Thank-you, Ms Cow, for your vote of confidence.
I'll pray for you too. Extemporaneously.
"Ah just wanna lift up sistah Vicki..."
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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jlg
What is this place?
Why am I here?
# 98
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Posted
Tell it, brother! Lift up our Sister Cow! A---men!
Posts: 17391 | From: Just a Town, New Hampshire, USA | Registered: May 2001
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Nunc Dimittis
Seamstress of Sound
# 848
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Posted
Lord, yeah, Lord we just really wanna lift up our sister Cow that the blessings of thy holy face, Lord, of thy just really holy face will shine on her forever.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Amen.
Posts: 9515 | From: Delta Quadrant | Registered: Jul 2001
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tomb
Shipmate
# 174
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Posted
Damn, your good at that, Nunc.
Posts: 5039 | From: Denver, Colorado | Registered: May 2001
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Cusanus
Ship's Schoolmaster
# 692
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Posted
It comes from living in the Diocese of Gomorrah-on-the-Harbour. It's catching.
Posts: 3120 | From: The Peninsula | Registered: Jul 2001
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Pânts*
Ship's underwear
# 4487
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Posted
this is page 10
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I'm not here any more. Dial 999 to get me. (No. Please don't really. Bit you could PM me on my new number cos I never get PMs!)
Posts: 8380 | From: The Stables | Registered: May 2003
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
pants, I feel like you're stalking me, and it's not a pleasant feeling.
If I have offended you in some way, I apologize.
I'm sure the hosts will close this thread when they are bored reading it. It makes no nevermind to me.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
It makes no nevermind to me.
Hey, the correct phrase is, "It don't make no nevermind."
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Grits
Compassionate fundamentalist
# 4169
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
Hey, the correct phrase is, "It don't make no nevermind."
Yes, there's nothing quite like the double negative to enhance the attitude of your disenchantment.
I don't think there's any escaping the pants, Sine. She seems to be everywhere and on everyone.
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Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and shut it when I've said enough. Amen.
Posts: 8419 | From: Nashville, TN | Registered: Feb 2003
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Sine Nomine*
Ship's backstabbing bastard
# 3631
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Posted
In that case, I take back my apology. I might need it again sometime.
Posts: 10696 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Amazing Grace*
Shipmate
# 4754
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cusanus:
It comes from living in the Diocese of Gomorrah-on-the-Harbour. It's catching.
Hey, I thought *I* lived there ... oh wait ... that's Sodom-by-the-Bay.
<emily litella on>
Nevermind.
<emily litella off>
Charlotte (and yes I agree with the assessment)
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.sig on vacation
Posts: 2594 | From: Sittin' by the dock of the [SF] bay | Registered: Jul 2003
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
Amazing Grace, I could totally hear you say that....
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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RooK
1 of 6
# 1852
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Posted
Closed per request of thread starter.
-RooK
Hellhost
Posts: 15274 | From: Portland, Oregon, USA, Earth | Registered: Nov 2001
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