Just poking my head in (I'm supposed to be participating in an online discussion for my current class, but I've got nothing to say over there just this minute) - to offer to smonster, perhaps the preacher was referring to the idea/illustration of gold smelting - God tests us to find the dross and burn it away, leaving us pure gold? Just thought I'd throw that out as a possibility. Though increasingly more exasperated with "The Church" me thinks he's probably being more like my now former pastor, who clearly needs to be reminded that we are not owners of the Earth, but that we were put here to be good stewards of it. I mentioned the "now former", right? Grr.
Mal: Well, you were right about this being a bad idea. Zoe: Thanks for sayin', sir.
'Serenity'
Spike's Bitches 45: That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure.
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
EpicTangent - Nov 13, 2009 4:05:36 pm PST #461 of 30000
Why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit? - Zenkitty
WindSparrow - Nov 13, 2009 5:53:24 pm PST #462 of 30000
Love is stronger than death and harder than sorrow. Those who practice it are fierce like the light of stars traveling eons to pierce the night.
Hil, if the Jewish Chapel is as beautifully done as the Protestant Chapel, you might find it interesting to at least visit for the interview.
smonster - Nov 13, 2009 5:59:16 pm PST #463 of 30000
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
Oh, Epic, I should have been clearer. These dudes are crazycakes. Like they have a whole long list on a sign about who will burn that includes not only the usual gays and non-Christians but Catholics and Masons and evolutionists and, no lie, lukewarm Christians.
Kind of you to try to explain, though. I didn't mean to imply that all Christians thought that way.
WindSparrow - Nov 13, 2009 6:14:20 pm PST #464 of 30000
Love is stronger than death and harder than sorrow. Those who practice it are fierce like the light of stars traveling eons to pierce the night.
These dudes are crazycakes. Like they have a whole long list on a sign about who will burn that includes not only the usual gays and non-Christians but Catholics and Masons and evolutionists and, no lie, lukewarm Christians.
If this is how God really works, I want nothing to do with him. I really hope it's not, though.
Zenkitty - Nov 13, 2009 6:15:21 pm PST #465 of 30000
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
Doesn't it actually say that, though, about lukewarm Christians, somewhere in the Gospels?
Calli - Nov 13, 2009 6:21:45 pm PST #466 of 30000
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
Rev. 3:16
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Dana - Nov 13, 2009 6:25:58 pm PST #467 of 30000
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
Oh, well, if Revelations says so, it must be true. And not crazy at all.
DCJensen - Nov 13, 2009 6:44:44 pm PST #468 of 30000
All is well that ends in pizza.
Must...not...make...Spike...jokes...from..Bible..verses.
DavidS - Nov 13, 2009 6:45:26 pm PST #469 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Oh, well, if Revelations says so, it must be true. And not crazy at all.
Hey! The crazy part is the best part of Revelations. That's it how rolls. Crazily.
NoiseDesign - Nov 13, 2009 6:45:46 pm PST #470 of 30000
Our wings are not tired
Oh...yes...you...must.