LoneWolf

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Posts by LoneWolf

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  28

  Personals

  by jayhawk1 in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  i thought a discussion about personal ads would be fun.

  i have dated many women by many different methods.

  except i have never looked for women at a bar.

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  LoneWolf

  Hey, Ginny!!

  Five shillings, eh? Price sounds about right.

  Can I check her teeth first?

  LoneWolf
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  28

  Personals

  by jayhawk1 in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  i thought a discussion about personal ads would be fun.

  i have dated many women by many different methods.

  except i have never looked for women at a bar.

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  LoneWolf

  Interesting thread. I've never had any experience along this line myself, as I married young and we're still together, thank heavens.

  I had a friend that had a similar experience, though, that we all enjoyed immensely. He had a pen-pal in Finland. They corresponded for a couple of years and fell in love. He proposed and she accepted. She sent him pictures and told him her height and weight, but she used metric when she wrote it. All he cared about were those pictures of a gorgeous blond, so he didn't even bother to convert to feet and pounds.

  Finally the day came to go down to Anchorage International to pick up his little petite bride-to-be. She was flying in over the pole. You can imagine his eagerness as he was standing there in the concourse watching for his little gal as the passengers filed in.

  Sure enough, there she was! All six feet, four inches of her!

  I asked him later if it bothered him any, and he said it did --- for about one day. After that he couldn't have cared less. Oh, by the way, he's 5' 11".

  Last I heard, they're still going strong and have about 4 kids.

  LoneWolf
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  5

  The Problem of Evil --- A Way Out

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the problem of evil ---.

  a gift .

  there are many who feel that jehovah is so high and dignified that it would be insulting on our part to assume that we could give him anything other than our unquestioning obedience.

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  LoneWolf

  THE PROBLEM OF EVIL ---

  A WAY OUT

  --------------------------------

  A Gift

  There are many who feel that Jehovah is so high and dignified that it would be insulting on our part to assume that we could give him anything other than our unquestioning obedience. Scripture shows, though, that such is not necessarily the case. "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." (Proverbs 27: 11)

  What Does That Reply Involve?

  A reply? What is the question that he wishes to reply to? And how are we involved? Obviously, we can deduce from those words that he does want us to give him something. But what?

  Most assume that it involves whether or not we will obey God's laws. Yet that question was answered long ago. We can't, because we are imperfect. In fact, that was the reason the old law covenant was replaced by the new; perfect obedience is impossible for us so we must rely on His undeserved kindness and love to make up for what we lack. Was that not the reason that Jesus came upon the earth, to atone for our sins because we can't?

  This reply or answer must involve something else then. What?

  Analysis of the Original Challenge

  Well, let's go back and analyze Satan's original challenge a little more. (Genesis 3: 4, 5) First he says, "You positively will not die." That's calling Jehovah a liar (Compare Gen. 2: 17). It is also impressing upon Eve that actually, no, there is no punishment. Can you hear the implication in there: "For I will protect you"?
  Then came the rest of it: "For God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad." The unspoken import of those few words was phenomenal. We can break it down into three parts:

  a. That Jehovah was being selfish and unloving in keeping the best parts for himself.

  b. That there was a better deal that could be had.

  c. That he, Satan, was going to be their advocate and make sure that they got everything they deserve.

  In essence, he told them that they were being taken for suckers, but they wouldn't be if they followed him.

  The Essence of the Challenge

  Thus the question revolves around whom we desire to serve. Adam and Eve showed a distinct preference for Satan's leadership in this matter. Being free moral agents, they were perfectly free to make that decision. The results of that decision have been our inheritance.
  Such a conclusion is strengthened by the face-off between Jehovah and Satan that is recorded for us in Job 1: 7-12. There Satan was implying that the only reason that Job served God was because his affections had been bought.

  How Could Such a Challenge Be Answered?

  There is a paragraph in a publication printed by Jehovah's Witnesses that is intriguing, for it touches on this subject. Let's quote it.
  "Satan's false charges against God may be illustrated, to a certain extent, in a human way. Suppose a man having a large family is accused by one of his neighbors of many false things about the way he manages his household. Suppose the neighbor also says that the family members have no real love for their father but only stay with him to obtain the food and material things he gives them. How might the father of the family answer such charges? If he simply used violence against the accuser, this would not answer the charges. Instead, it might suggest that they were true. But what a fine answer it would be if he permitted his own family to be his witnesses to show that their father was indeed a just and loving family head and that they were happy to live with him because they loved him! Thus he would be completely vindicated. --- Proverbs 27: 11; Isaiah 43: 10." (The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, page 67, paragraph 7.)

  This makes sense as far as it goes. But upon reflection one must realize that there had to be more to it than that. To let one's own family provide the answer would work only under the right conditions, otherwise Satan need merely claim that Jehovah had intimidated them into it. "Well, sure, they would say that. After all, if they say any different you will kick them out in the cold like you did Adam and Eve."

  He could also claim that because Jehovah had poisoned our minds we are too frightened to examine the evidence impartially. Or he could say that we cling to Jehovah for the simple reason that that is all we know and that we would never stick to him if we were aware of all the wonderful things he (Satan) had for us.

  The only way for such questions to be answered is for Satan himself to have access to us.

  That Satan would use arguments like this is indisputable. Nearly every time the Bible records his speech some question like this is brought up. The creating of doubt and letting it just hang in the air seems to be Satan's modus operandi.

  Therefore, our answer as human beings must contain two special elements. First of all, our testimony must be just that: ours, and it will need to be obvious to all that that is the case. Secondly, carefully memorized lists of "'sposed to's" and "not 'sposed to's" won't work, and neither will any careful repetition of dogma. If that were all that was needed, then Jehovah would have created us to be like glorified tape recorders, faithfully spouting only that which had been recorded.

  What is important here is not that certain words are correctly said. Rather, our opinions and heart conditions are what count in answering such things.

  Some Problems

  In turn, this leads to some terrible problems.

  How could God's family (mankind) give an answer to a question that they don't even know exists?

  How could they gain knowledge of it when they are estranged from their creator by reason of their imperfection and Satan has firm control of the environment in which they live?

  It is the solving of these two problems that has taken so long for the conditions here upon the earth to be cured. To hurry it without this preparation would mean that all human life would be wiped out right along with Satan and the demons.

  Is There a Weakness In Satan's Plot?

  It looks like it.

  Satan, in the setting up of the conditions of this challenge, appears to have inadvertently put himself in a box. How? Because by the very rules of his own challenge, he has given us as human beings the ability to challenge him. Should we as individuals wish to stand up and challenge his contentions or even enter a contention of our own, to whit: that he is a damned liar; what can he do about it? Kill us? He certainly has the power. But should he give in to such an impulse, he loses his argument. Should he lose his argument, he loses the only thing that stands between himself and death as a traitor to his very creator. This puts Satan in his own trap, and we human beings control the trigger! What utterly delicious poetic justice!

  Let's explain it another way. There is a law case in the heavenly courts. We are not the principals; we are only witnesses. But it is our testimony that is not only important to the case; it is the very core of the case. Even we lowly imperfect humans have laws against witness tampering!

  What an exquisite light this throws on Proverbs 27: 11!

  A Solution

  This, our heart condition, is the very core of that heavenly court case. As such, every spirit creature in existence would have a deep and abiding interest in it. Satan and his followers for the reason that their continued existence depends upon our substantiating his allegations, and all the rest of them because they want to see Jehovah cleared, the hullabaloo over and for Satan, et al., to get their just desserts.

  Only we can answer this question that is before the house concerning whom we wish to serve. Even then, we can only answer it under the circumstances mentioned above. This explains why Satan was allowed to test Jesus while he was alone in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11) It also explains why we are all to be tested individually during the judgement day. Those answers must be ours, uninfluenced by anyone else.

  --------------------------

  And now I'd like to pose a question.

  Could it be that those of us who, even though we think we have lost faith in a loving God, yet by still clinging to the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount are actually giving a better answer now than we ever could in the Organization? What excuse can Satan give in this circumstance?

  Think about it.

  LoneWolf
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  14

  The Problem of Evil --- The Plot

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello, again.. this is the second of three parts.

  we're starting to get into the meat of the subject here, and you should find some information on many of the objections that were brought up on the first one, as well as gravedancers thread.. let me reiterate again that these thoughts are not meant to be definative answers.

  they are a work in progress and reflect the direction that seems logical and interesting.

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  LoneWolf

  Then the apology is cheerfully given. I must ask your patience, though, as it's already 4 a.m. and I'm tired. (I know, I know. You gotta have a license to be tired, right? Tough. )

  I'll try to get it tomorrow.

  LoneWolf
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  19

  The Problem of Evil --- The Dilemma

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi, folks.

  gravedancer has invited us to a discussion of a subject upon which rests the credibility of all faith.

  i'm responding by posting a 3 part series reflecting some of the research and thought the i've put into it for some decades now.

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  LoneWolf

  tyydyy ---

  Yes! In fact, everything stemmed from the same source at one point. If my brother was a murderer, that wouldn't make me a murderer just because I had the same source. There are many reasons for why people do bad things and I cannot accept that the reason is some big bad spirit named Satan made them do it.

  I agree, to a point. However, I am speaking of something else. Perhaps I can illustrate it by comparing it again to the art world. In determining things about the artist, one does not judge individual brush strokes or even the technique used. One looks for the more subtle things, like what types of things that are usually portrayed and how they are rendered. Are they constantly negative? Are the colors used more somber than bright or the other way around? Are they particular about detail, or do slide over the details and go for a general overview? Such things tell you something.

  In this case, how could a god be the author of the love in a woman's eyes, the frolicking of baby kittens, the beauty of the flowers, and the exquiste design of the universe --- and also be the author of the hideous things we see around us? He would have to be schizoid.

  If we wish to believe in a god at all, why is it so hard to take his word for it that he has an enemy?

  Frenchy ---
  
  

  We are getting into areas here that could easily fill an entire chapter if not a book.

  Isn't that the case! Want to help me fill it?

  Yes, trust must be earned. Sadly, all to many times it is earned but not acknowledged or credited. That is extremely destructive to relationships.

  LoneWolf
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  14

  The Problem of Evil --- The Plot

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello, again.. this is the second of three parts.

  we're starting to get into the meat of the subject here, and you should find some information on many of the objections that were brought up on the first one, as well as gravedancers thread.. let me reiterate again that these thoughts are not meant to be definative answers.

  they are a work in progress and reflect the direction that seems logical and interesting.

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  LoneWolf

  logical --- Seems like it sometimes, doesn't it? Heck, whether it's Satan and his demons, aliens, the Illuminati, the Industrial Complex, the politicans, the clergy, intellectuals, the science elite --- heck, their ain't no one trin' to control us. Nah.

  Pleasant thought, isn't it. Yuck.

  funkyderek --- Hmmm. Maybe this is an injustice, but I get the feeling that isn't a sincere question. You would well know that there is no scripture that directly says that Satan was using the snake as a ventriloquist's dummy, but that there are plenty of other clues that point to that fact, not the least of which is that Satan was condemned almost immediately afterwards. This holds especially true if you have had any background in the WTBTS, for in spite of all their faults, they did give one a strong background in Bible usage and research.

  If I'm wrong, I apologize and would be happy to give you the rundown on why nearly all of the so-called christian religions believe that Satan is responsible. However, right now I choose not to, as I suspect you already know. That is one of the most basic items of the christian faith.

  Mike047 --- Nah, not Matrix. More like one of the Startrek episodes where the Enterprise runs across some hapless planet where some nasty aliens have enslaved the entire population.

  Actually, though, it has occurred to me that if I were in Satan's shoes, it might be a good idea to promote such flights of fancy in order to get people used to such a thing. The effect on people would be sort of like crying wolf too many times.

  Guest 77 --- I have to agree on both counts.

  LoneWolf
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  14

  Breast implants: Question for men.

  by Martini in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  it is estimated that working women will on a yearly basis spend approximately $5,800.00 to adorn themselves, perhaps a breakdown is as follows:.

  1. cosmetic stuff ( make up ) approx $500.00.

  2. hair care approx $800.00.

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  LoneWolf

  Personally speaking, breast implants turn me off. I'm not all that concerned with size, as much as I am with what she naturally is. Her being comfortable with herself is the most attractive feature.

  This is not to say that neatness, cleanliness, etc., don't count, they do. But every woman has her own type of beauty and I hate to see her doing all she can to imitate someone else's beauty. That demonstrates a lack of self-confidence, which makes everyone uncomfortable.

  LoneWolf
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  19

  The Problem of Evil --- The Dilemma

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi, folks.

  gravedancer has invited us to a discussion of a subject upon which rests the credibility of all faith.

  i'm responding by posting a 3 part series reflecting some of the research and thought the i've put into it for some decades now.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  LoneWolf

  Help!! You guys are getting ahead of me!

  I'm tired and need some sleep. See you tomorrow.

  LoneWolf
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  19

  The Problem of Evil --- The Dilemma

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi, folks.

  gravedancer has invited us to a discussion of a subject upon which rests the credibility of all faith.

  i'm responding by posting a 3 part series reflecting some of the research and thought the i've put into it for some decades now.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  LoneWolf

  TyyDyy --- Never would I say that. Instead, I am saying that physical intervention such as that is one of the least effective methods of protecting her.

  What about when you are not there? What if you die or are accidentally killed before she is on her own? NOTHING is as effective as a close trusting relationship where she can feel free to come to you with all of her problems and concerns. She needs a sounding board that she can test her doubts on without the worry of being judged or having it presumed that her questions stem from evil motives.

  That little girl has a good head on her shoulders. Feed her knowledge and understanding as she is ready for it, and not on some schedule where you end up force-feeding. When she sees your own honesty, even with your own faults and weaknesses; when she sees you stand for what's right, even when it's not popular even with her; when she sees your selflessness in dealing with her mother and her as well as others, THAT will build your confidence and credibility in her eyes and the things you teach her will have weight.

  When she does make mistakes, don't blow up. Remember that your job is not to raise perfect kids. It is to raise healthy ones that will survive, and one of the most important lessons you could teach her is how to deal with the mistakes that she will inevitability make, WITHOUT having endless guilt trips about them. If you yell at her, she will (figuratively) yell at herself. Many commit suicide because they think they are not perfect enough.

  tyydyy, I am not perfect and I'll be the first to tell you that I don't know everything. But I can honestly tell you this: At the ages of 15 and 16, my two oldest girls went alone to Montreal, Canada and spent 9 months there on their own studying French and attending the Pioneer School in French after they learned it. They were so successful in their endeavors that they were invited to give their experiences at the assembly. They did. That's 3,000 miles from home.

  Montreal is a melting pot and a pretty wide open town. You can imagine the mischief they could have gotten into if they so desired.

  Build on her a battlement of silver. Don't block her up with a cedar plank. (Song of Solomon 8:9) Then watch her respond with joy and integrity.

  Perhaps you can read between the lines as to how much I care about this. Indeed, I have tears in my eyes as I write. Can you imagine having them trust you so much that they come to you asking for help in getting a bra that fits? I've had that happen.

  LoneWolf
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  14

  The Problem of Evil --- The Plot

  by LoneWolf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello, again.. this is the second of three parts.

  we're starting to get into the meat of the subject here, and you should find some information on many of the objections that were brought up on the first one, as well as gravedancers thread.. let me reiterate again that these thoughts are not meant to be definative answers.

  they are a work in progress and reflect the direction that seems logical and interesting.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  LoneWolf

  Guest 77 ---

  LOL. Looks like we posted at exactly the same time.

  You bet there were pawns! At least that is the way we were/are being viewed by Satan, which explains Jehovah's anger.

  I think that Satan viewed us humans (at least before the flood) in exactly the same way as our kids do the "men" they "kill" on their "bang-bang shoot-em-up" video games.

  And yes, I like to play them too.

  LoneWolf