ahem...stay safe ya'll!!!

Stay safe everyone in the path of Ike!!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I just talked to Baddessi. They are all holding up well, but have many hours of weather to go.

we had a rough few days, but have power now and and are all fine.
Please keep the people who were affected by Ike in your prayers..many people were not so lucky. They will need your prayers for some time.

baddessi:  So glad to hear you are ok.  Those storms are nasty. 

Artful Dodger: thanks..it's nice to be up and running again!

baddessi:  We have earthquakes and floods here.  Sometimes rock slides in the mountain and avalanches too.  But where I live on earthquakes affect us.  We're up too high for floods, too far from the mountains too.  I've felt a couple of earthquakes since moving out here.

Artful Dodger: so many people ask how I can live here with a threat of hurricanes. We haven't had one like this since 1983...so it doesn't happen often..I used to live up north and in Colorado...every year people die in blizzards or from exposure from the cold. My sister lives in California for a while. She had earthquakes...my younger sister lives in Illinois on a fault line and they had an earthquake this year and tornado threats every year...a dear friend lives in Oklahoma..they, along with many states around them have a serious threat of tornadoes every year...when I lived in Colorado, there were rock slides and avalanches that claimed lives each year....and floods can be much more devastating than people realize...most of our country can be at risk for that at one time or another.
it doesn't matter where you live..there are always risks....I feel very blessed and lucky to have come thru this so easily. It could always be worse...

Home is where the heart is, and that means dealing with whatever Mother nature throws at you.

Tuesday: The meaning of tithe is a tenth of one's income paid to the church.

Tuesday: I looked this up and it does seem to have been applied in the old Testament but in the new Testament there is not much mention of it. On one site it said that Jesus freed us from most of the old laws by that I mean he gave us freedom to choose and these days I think it is acceptable to give what you can afford to give. It does not have to be in money it could also mean just helping people and giving something back to society.

Tuesday: The question is off topic IMHO.

Mousetrap: I agree, it verily has changed in such that we have now many charity shops that give the opportunity to give and get at the same time. Also I like it that most shops now offer the means to give through simple giving of change in the prominent charity boxes and like they keep on the counters next to the tills.

There are so many ways to give these days it's rather wonderful.

(V): Yes. I get far more out of giving than receiving and I am not one bit religious, I am a humanist. Sorry if this is off topic Artful.

Mousetrap:  I think we may have wandered back on topic ;-)

I would say it's more than just getting more out of giving than receiving -- it's that the benefit of giving is felt in an entirely different way than the benefit of receiving. 

Mousetrap: I'm not too concerned about the topic of tithing as long as it doesn't turn into a debate or sermonizing.  Generally speaking, this forum is not a discussion forum but I see nothing wrong with this sort of friendly sharing from time to time - as long as it doesn't become the norm or carry on too long.  Such discussions can easily fall under "support" and "affirming" as stated above.   At the same time, it's probably wise to remember the main purpose of this board. 

For people of many faiths, giving is one way to show worship, honor, and praise to God.  And has been said, giving of oneself is as important as the giving of money.  I think this idea is at the heart of Tuesday's question.  I think 2 corinthians 9:7 pretty much sets the criteria for New Testament giving:  Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with
regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

blessings to all ;)

Artful Dodger: Thank you.

Tuesday:My answer would be to look into your heart and give what you can out of love, not out of duty or a need for approval.

alanback:

Tuesday: Thoughts and prayers are with you, Robby and Heath. Do they plan to get into some technical training in the military? My grandson is still in the army and is back from Iraq, is stationed in Missouri.

Summer Flame: What a blessing to live in a time when such treatments are possible! God bless you both!

Summer Flame: Thoughts and prayers will be with your little one tomorrow and also for the surgeon performing the operation!!

alanback: Yes thats so very true, sometimes we forget how blessed we are :) and ty

Dolittle: Ty Dolittle :)

Tuesday: Your son is a clever young man.

Summer Flame: Evening everyone, ty for the prayers, he had the operation yesterday, he came home today with 2 bright blue plaster casts on his legs, feeling a bit crabby and woozy, but he is doing well, he has a little walking frame and a pair of crutches, also a buggy to help with his recovery, 6 weeks till casts come off :)

Summer Flame: So glad the surgery went well...I was thinking about him today. Now he can heal and be able to walk without problems!!

Dolittle: Awwwwwwwwwww ty, i have been up all night with him, his casts are giving him jip. He only went to sleep at 4am which was 3hrs ago.

Summer Flame:I am glad all went well and your son is back home with you where he will be best looked after :) Sure hope not all his nights are like last night.

Summer Flame: My son has been in a leg cast for the past 2 weeks (3 if you count the week in a splint) and it does get easier :-)

volant: ty so much, so do i, so far tonight, its not been too bad, but still early

Stardust: Awwwwww bless him,what did your son do to his leg? My son has both legs in cast, He is used to wearing splints, as he wears them every day he has mild cerebral palsy and walks on tip toes, when he has the casts off will be re measured for new splints.

My son dislocated his kneecap 3 weeks ago. A more serious injury than I would have guessed. He is only now returning to school! He will wear the cast until Nov 27 then wear the splint again while he does physiotherapy.
I will say a prayer for your son.... and for you

Stardust: I had dislocated my kneecap this past spring,just had the surgery on it about a month and a half ago...I can tell you..it will get better,fast..as odd as this sounds..I had the surgery..ouch,ouch,ouch,for a while after..thought,oh boy..THAT HELPED *sarcasm there* but then almost overnight it was feeling better..I wish him well!!

Stardust: Yes ouch, sounds really painful. I hope he not in too much pain now :) My son is going to have more intense physio afterwards too, he has had a physiotherapist since he was born, she is really a good one, My sons casts come off 4th Dec, I will also say a rayer for your son and you. Since y son come home, its been a lot of upheaval, especially at night, He is worse at night, but thats because he has nothing to occupy him, so the pain and itching seems worse. Last night, i had to seep with him, to get any kind of sleep at all, but i know its not forever :)

This is not good news, but I just got off the phone with my friend and she wanted me to pass this on to all her friends here.
One of our own here has suffered a horrible loss today. Dolittle's husband passed away unexpectedly this morning and she wanted to let everyone know that she may not be on here for a while.
I ask that you please keep this dear, sweet lady and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Thanks.

baddessi:...my thoughts are with her right now!! We love you DO!!

Dolittle: I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.

baddessi:  I'm very sorry to hear this sad news.  She is a very sweet lady.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. 

baddessi: I pray for her and her family to be comforted in the assurance of eternal life.