emo236

280, I think you missed the point. Lets keep this discussion professional please. Only good points that are constructive. No one is upset, so please don't tell us to chill. If you don't agree, please say so and why. bns, it didn't seem so to me, but according to 280's reaction, maybe make your posts a touch more tactful. I just want to keep this thread encouraging and thought-provoking. I don't want it to turn into a mess.

theramz

Yes and befor that I'm sure it was something else all the way back to the rock throwing days. That's why it will never be over.

emo236

war elevates from anything that people are passionate about and disagree on. faith just happens to be one of those things...love is another, and state security, and imperialism....it goes on forever. Is freedom bad because there were bloody wars faught over it?

280gty

There are good wars and bad.

Religious wars fought for a specific religion is bigotry....whether it be christianity or muslim.
The concept itself breeds resentment over people who aren't part of one particular group.

The american constitution specifically seperates state and church because the founders of our democracy recognized that an enforced singular religion is bad and oppressive.

The american war for freedom was also a war against organized religion because it took power away from the church.

Crusaders or modern terrorists fought and still fight the bad wars because they kill simply because they disagree with other peoples ideas...like Hitler did as well.

That is not the same as fighting for freedom.

280gty

This thread has become too depressing... it needs some holiday cheer.
Happy holidays Zpeeps...!

tnkrstoyco

I posted a bunch of jokes yesterday just to liven things up.

emo236

It shouldn't be depressing. It should just be a discussion. Some argue that the Democratic Peace Theory is immoral and is an imposition of democracy (which is what it was designed on). Have you ever heard the white man's burden? That's very much the American thought. I don't agree with the Crusades, but you can bring skeletons out of any closet, no matter how good it is. The point isn't to bring skeletons out...that's why you end up with a depressing thread. You could on the other hand look at the whole picture. Christianity isn't about the Church, it's about love. Love is what the holidays are about, no matter how you look at it.

gabrielzzz

hey guys, remember when i posted on this forum that i wasnt sure if God was up there watching us? well i had an eye opener yesterday and owe it all to God himself....i was driving to work, yesterday and i was a little late, so i was kinda pushing my 280zxt and im going down this turn under an overpass, and im going about 55-60 when all of a sudden around the turn is a whole wall of traffic at a dead stop....so i start pumping the brakes, because i know if i slammed them, i would lock up and spin cuz i was turning at the same time....and i was about 10 feet from the car i was about to smash, then i just hoped and prayed to God he would help me, the car in front of me, and the Z, and then the guy in front of me looked back, saw me sliding, and then pulled his car into the other lane, i landed right in his spot, safe and sound, ill never forget that day, i just hope God will forgive me for ever doubting him, i do know i never will again. thats for sure.

theramz

When I was 4 years old my Mother was at a party with my father. Everyone was drinking and getting obnoxious and mom asked to go home. My father said no so she walked home. It was a dark, unlit country road very late. She was so afraid she could only ask for Jeasus to protect her. When she got home I woke up and said, Mommy! I dreamed you were walking down a long dark road with Jesus! I miss my Mom but I believe with out a doubt that she is with Jesus. I'm looking forward to the big party. I have so much to thank her for, number one being the belief in God and Jesus.

emo236

gabriel, that brings me so much joy to hear how God worked in your life! that really is amazing!

WildmaN

That's good to hear man, glad it all worked out okay. God is always there, whether we admit it or not. Always watching out for us, I know that for a fact. I am also happy to hear you about never doubting God again. That is awesome, in all ways.

WildmaN

Wow that is great touching story, brings a tear to my eye. Isn't Jesus amazing, man he is the bomb. And nice to hear about your experiences.

tnkrstoyco

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.


The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.


Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
>From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"


On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

>From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.


He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!


So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in
Christmas and enjoy
some good nights!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Riz Z Speed

Breakfast At McDonalds




>> I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my
>> college degree.
>>
>> The last class I had to take was Sociology.
>>
>> The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish
>> every human being had been graced with.
>>
>> Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
>>
>> The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document
>> their reactions.
>>
>> I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello
>> anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
>>
>> Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and
>> I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
>>
>> It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
>>
>> We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden
>> everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
>>
>> I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up
>> inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
>>
>>
>> As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there
>> standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
>>
>> As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".
>>
>> His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for
>>
>> acceptance.
>>
>> He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been
>> clutching.
>>
>> The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend.
>> I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed
>> gentleman was his salvation.
>>
>> I held my tears as I stood there with them.
>>
>> The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
>>
>> He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford.

>> (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy
>> something. He just wanted to be warm).
>>
>> Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached
>> out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
>>
>> That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me,
>> judging my every action.
>>
>> I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two
>> more breakfast meals on a separate tray.
>>
>> I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen
>> as a
>>
>> resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the
>> blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
>>
>> He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."
>>
>> I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for

>> you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
>>
>> I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I
>> sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to
>> me, Honey, to give me hope."
>>
>> We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only
>> because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.
>>
>> We are not church goers, but we are believers.
>>
>> That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
>>
>> I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story
>> in hand.
>>
>> I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.
>>
>> Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"
>>
>> I slowly nodded as she got the attention of! the class.
>>
>> She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and

>> being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
>>
>> In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband,
>> son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last
>> night I spent as a college student.
>>
>> I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
>> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
>>
>> Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may
>> read this and learn how to
>>
>> LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
>>
>> If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this
>> to everyone you know.
>>
>> There is an Angel sent to watch over you.
>>
>> In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you
>> want watched over.
>>
>> An Angel wrote:
>> Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends
>> will leave footprints in your heart.
>>
>> To handle yourself, use your head.
>>
>> To handle others, use your heart.
>>
>> God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

i get these emails from time to time and altho this is an old one, it seemed appropriate for this thread.

tnkrstoyco

Nice one Riz. Thanks for joining in on our celebration.

zpeedracer25

Thanks Emo for starting this thread!

Merry CHRISTmas too all!

Amen.

emo236

it's a priviledge to!

DynamicJ

man, I'm glad to see so many Christians here! it's nice to know that everyone is involved in God. I come from a Pentecostal background (yeah, we're the Hyper ones )

I always knew Zdriver had the nicest group of people online, and that's the truth! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.

Remember to put your trust in Him! "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

tnkrstoyco

A Baby's Hug

We were the only family with children in the restaurant.. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly,
Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared
in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed.
His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell anything, but I was sure he smelle! d. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.

Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said t! o Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?"
Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi" .
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man .
The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo."

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skidrow bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal
and headed for the door.
My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot.
The old man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just! let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I dr ew closer to the
man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a
baby's "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship.. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his
tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and
hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back.

No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes
opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby."

Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone.

He! pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless ! you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks.

With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me."

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a
mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.

I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" When He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had
reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."

theramz

Sheesh lady! You should put a warning on that! Do not read while at work or your co-workers will ask you "What's up with the tears dude?"

tnkrstoyco

Yeah, it's a touching story. It just shows that more people should look beyond ones outward appearance.
Look into their heart and soul rather than the way they are dressed and how they appear.

By the way you might want to check my profile before calling me a lady!!!

theramz

While waiting for a table at Denny's at Christmas time I noticed my daughter (age 3 at the time) was pointing at something in the crowd with her chubby litle fingers. I looked and there was an old man and woman. He had long snow white hair with long beard and mustache, wire glasses on his nose. He was wearing an olive drab jump suit and a fur cap. The woman was white haired also and was all bundled up in winter wear. I said to myself, holy Christmas! It's Mr. and Mrs. Claus in civies! Well, no one seemed to notice them as they were walking out. When the old man got near my daughter he bent over and softly said Ho! Ho! Ho!