[Small]

Originally Posted by Mrs. M

Was I talking to you about Ananias and Sapphira - the scariest story in the NT? Maybe it was Small.

I don't know. I set forth the theory in your daughter's blog that Ernst was actually Saphira, but I'm not sure if we discussed the story.

Originally Posted by Mara's Aunt

Who the heck is Achan?

He took plunder from Jericho, and was thereafter done away with, scarily.

[Mara's Mom]

RYAN: This is shameful, but I don't remember what I was going to say to you. Baa.

SMALL: YES! Rumspringa. Sounds like a Scandinavian dessert. "Would you like some freshly whipped cream with your Rumspringa?"

Our Achan discussion was awesome in a very cirucular fashion. Our conclusion for application: We are not just to focus on our personal holiness, but we're also to be our brother's keeper. In a nutshell.

Unfortunately, the Church on the whole is not very healthy in this regard. Most people draw their only accountablility from a weekly sermon. There is nothing personal about it. It doesn't enter the intimate details of their life. It doesn't cry with them when they're hurting or rejoice with them when they've experienced a victory or wait with them when they're growing weary.

It is most grievous. If any of you are in a church where all of this is happening, give thanks to God and then do everything you can to support your pastor and church leadership. Because that is incredible and we need more churches like that. We are finally in a church family like that. For the most part.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Unfortunately, the Church on the whole is not very healthy in this regard. Most people draw their only accountablility from a weekly sermon. There is nothing personal about it. It doesn't enter the intimate details of their life. It doesn't cry with them when they're hurting or rejoice with them when they've experienced a victory or wait with them when they're growing weary.

It is most grievous. If any of you are in a church where all of this is happening, give thanks to God and then do everything you can to support your pastor and church leadership. Because that is incredible and we need more churches like that. We are finally in a church family like that. For the most part.

I am right here in the trench of a church that is so bound up in being a family, they fail to notice those who are there day in, day out for several years, because we were not born there.

I am there for a purpose. I see what it is now, but unfortunately its to be a hellraiser of sorts as I am currently engaged in reportiing an elder for Child abuse and trying to document it. I am now taking a camera to Awana to get proof. I will have to be a little patient, but I see my point as being the consumate outsider, who is able to blow whistles that an insider couldn't. Sad, but true. I also know when my time there ends.

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I am right here in the trench of a church that is so bound up in being a family, they fail to notice those who are there day in, day out for several years, because we were not born there.

Yes, that's the opposite end of the spectrum. That is obviously not true fellowship either. If our eyes are wide open to each other and we have a heart motivated by love, grace and truth then we are the win.

I am there for a purpose. I see what it is now, but unfortunately its to be a hellraiser of sorts as I am currently engaged in reportiing an elder for Child abuse and trying to document it. I am now taking a camera to Awana to get proof. I will have to be a little patient, but I see my point as being the consumate outsider, who is able to blow whistles that an insider couldn't. Sad, but true. I also know when my time there ends.

Wow. This is horrible. Bless you for being a voice of truth for that little person and for that body of believers. Blessed are the properly motivated feather-rufflers. I'm sure that's in there somewhere...

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Wow. This is horrible. Bless you for being a voice of truth for that little person and for that body of believers. Blessed are the properly motivated feather-rufflers. I'm sure that's in there somewhere...

I don't know, one of my kids who was getting abused... I have become friends with the step-father, who has assured his wife will no longer over discipline him, and his biological dad no longer gets him. THAT is a godsend. (If you read the thread about the little guy who forgave in my blog with my first name... thats him)

This other guy is a handfull and had a belt mark across his face at the Awana Olympics Awana Games. The end of the belt and holes were visible in a welt. Like a fool I had no camera. Anyway, what stinks is I hate doing this, but someone has to. That really took it to a new level for me.

[Godslilrosebud]

Ouch. I'll be praying, Bill.

Mrs. D, how art thou? (I tried thee, but it wasn't the right amount of people, so no rhyming. *sad*)

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

This other guy is a handfull and had a belt mark across his face at the Awana Olympics Awana Games. The end of the belt and holes were visible in a welt. Like a fool I had no camera. Anyway, what stinks is I hate doing this, but someone has to. That really took it to a new level for me.

And this is the elder's son?

I have never seen your real name blog. Ahem. *nudge* *cough*

I would like going to church with you, Bill.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner: dirty rice and asparagus and molasses cookies for dessert

Some people hate molasses cookies. We don't. They are a very civilized cookie.

I am in love with Stand Up. L.O.V.E.

We have a wedding this weekend. Weddings make me cry. I've been that way for about ten years now. I never used to cry at them. Well, some weddings are very void of meaning unfortunately and I don't cry at those. But I may cry at this one. AND THEN THERE WILL BE DANCING.

AND. Our friend CHRIS will be giving the wedding message. Some of you might remember our friend Chris. *stare*

ROSEBUD: I am well. And you? How are you REALLY, dear?

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

And this is the elder's son?

I have never seen your real name blog. Ahem. *nudge* *cough*

I would like going to church with you, Bill.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner: dirty rice and asparagus and molasses cookies for dessert

Some people hate molasses cookies. We don't. They are a very civilized cookie.

I am in love with Stand Up. L.O.V.E.

We have a wedding this weekend. Weddings make me cry. I've been that way for about ten years now. I never used to cry at them. Well, some weddings are very void of meaning unfortunately and I don't cry at those. But I may cry at this one. AND THEN THERE WILL BE DANCING.

AND. Our friend CHRIS will be giving the wedding message. Some of you might remember our friend Chris. *stare*

ROSEBUD: I am well. And you? How are you REALLY, dear?

Sorry, Bad syntax (the one little kid has the same first name as me in real life). My only blog is the one on cgr. (well my wife has a myspace that her brother put up that she does not have the password to) My real name has to keep a low profile online because of my own family. The elder's son is the abused kid, yes, the elder is beating his kid, and nobody seems to really notice it. Sorry for my off topic rant, but its Thursday.

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Sorry, Bad syntax (the one little kid has the same first name as me in real life). My only blog is the one on cgr. (well my wife has a myspace that her brother put up that she does not have the password to) My real name has to keep a low profile online because of my own family. The elder's son is the abused kid, yes, the elder is beating his kid, and nobody seems to really notice it. Sorry for my off topic rant, but its Thursday.

Well, that was a nifty little misunderstanding. I barely understand the meaning of syntax. But at least you now know that if you DID have a real name blog that I would read it. And that should make you rest a little easier. Of course.

What do you want to do when you are all grown up, Bill? I know you're going to seminary. What would you like to do with that?

~*~*~*~*~*~

Live For You Tonight by Everyday Sunday is an awesome song.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Well, that was a nifty little misunderstanding. I barely understand the meaning of syntax. But at least you now know that if you DID have a real name blog that I would read it. And that should make you rest a little easier. Of course.

What do you want to do when you are all grown up, Bill? I know you're going to seminary. What would you like to do with that?

~*~*~*~*~*~

Live For You Tonight by Everyday Sunday is an awesome song.

I'd like to teach, eventually at the collegiate level.

[leiarose]

I remember Chris.

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by leiarose

I remember Chris.

Do you now? I think a few people remember Chris.

[Mara's Aunt]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Do you now? I think a few people remember Chris.

How would they remember him? What stories have you told? Did you tell the "shower" story?? I wanna know!


I already posted this in Mara's blog.....I ate ALOT of Mexican food tonight. I need to purge. We went to El Aguila Real and I ate WAY too much! I feel like a bear who just ate her last meal before hibernation. I bet they gourge themselves!

[Small]

Mrs. D! This is one of the few times I've ever seen someone online profess love for Stand Up, and I'm enjoying it immensely, because I adore that CD as well.

[Mara's Mom]

Bill: Ah yes, the green mohawk. I remember now. Good for you. And what would you like to teach? I don't know why this has left my brain. I do think I knew at one time.

Salamanda: A few people know The Highly Questionable Wedding Card Story. And Andrew sort of knows The Under The Bleachers When Chris Was Six Story. Do you remember that one? The one he told at Christmas that one year when we were all talking about our past shenanigans? They do not know The Public Church Testimony Story. Nor will they ever. They don't love him, so they can't know that one. [/protective older sister]

Everyone: For those that don't know, Chris is our close family like-a-brother friend who works full time for Navigaors in the DC inner city. He is *cough* colorful. One of the most honest, innocent people you will ever meet in your life. He is Jim Carrey's rival. That is not an exaggeration in the least. He even looks like him, but he is way cuter. And we are going to pahty with him Saturday night. Ohyeah. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF CRAZY DANCE MOVES FROM THE CHRISTER. WE NEED TO TAKE PICTURES OF HIM, SALAMANDA, SO THEY CAN GET A VISUAL. YES, PICTURES OF US DANCING!!

Small: I incredibly heart that CD. I can't even determine a favorite track at this point. I love Wait, Hanging On and Live For You Tonight. There is one that has really driving vocals that I love, too, but I don't know the name of it. We are also listening to John Reuben's Boy Vs. The Cynic a lot lately. That really is a good one. And we're listening to Veggie Tales. The lyrics are hysterical. I will post some later. Soyes. Our musical taste is quite eclectic.