November 01, 2007 - Msg 57622: 5 days and counting until Starr begins her reign on our hearts. . .YeaH!

Trick or treating was smashing. . .lots of goodies and we only did a few houses. Country houses give lots of goodies! My boys are the only ones to go to this older couples house and they came out with a halloween pail each of candy and the pail! A nice loot!! Ha - I told them since I was the driver that I was entitled to half of the stash. . .that didn't go over very well!

I read about the Phelp's church and that they will continue with the hate speech. But they will pay monetarily for it - I am glad that parent stuck for his son's funeral. What an awful way to grieve.

Been really busy with school and teachers not wanting to do accommodations for one of my students.

Hubby's surgery is scheduled for Dec. 11. Thanks for all the prayers in advance!

homemaker
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57623:
And s w i s h, Starr's tail already sweeps the porch!
MDC
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57624: Don't worry, I'm here.
Thanks for the concern, though.

I guess I've been away because I have been feeling that all I have been doing(boy, that's a lot of "beens") is complaining to you good folks lately, and I wanted to get away from that, for a while anyway. Though I did bother Romeena with an issue at our school, to which she was more than gracious with her help. Thanks Ro!

That, and I have been working more(unfortunately, with this job) so I am dead tired when I get home. I am really hoping I get this job at the library. I know the administrator pretty well and she encouraged me to apply, but you never know. I had thought I was pretty much a shoe-in with all the other jobs I applied for too.

I'd like to thank Romeena also for that tip on that Golden Compass movie, and homemaker for the link, allowing me to read up on it. Pretty scary.
Kai won't be going to see that movie. I only hope my wife will understand my opposition to seeing it. Maybe after I show her that link.

Had a pretty good Halloween here. We usually go down to the party the city puts on at one of the buildings at the fairgrounds. Then we went trick or treating around my parent's house for a little bit with her cousins.
Kai went as Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter. Not sure I was so keen on that after the author "outed" one of the main characters recently, but the mask had already been bought and the costume made, so I decided to hold my tongue this time.
I don't know why JK Rowling did that, after the books and movies were so popular with kids. For one thing, it has no bearing nor does it factor into the storyline, and is not even referred even remotely to in either the books or movies. So what was the purpose of doing that? Either she is ignorant of the dangers of promoting a self-destructive lifestyle, to children nonetheless, or maybe she really is doing the bidding of evil like some Christians have been alleging. Either way I think it was a bad mistake on her part. I know I will never look at those movies the same way again. If indeed I ever watch them again.

Prayers for your husband's surgery, homemaker.

-Sterling Holobyte(finally escaped from the Remshaw place)


November 01, 2007 - Msg 57625: so great seeing you all again. taking a couple seconds from work to let you know pappa bear is still a- kicking. prayers for all in need. mdc- got your latest letter today but haven't read yet. thanks bunches. well what's for supper? the ole bear is hungry for a mayberry meal. slipping off for a nap like asa, ha. pappa bear
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57626: Hey PAPABEAR and STERLING. Good to hear from both of you. You shouldn't feel that way, STERLING; we al have our less-than-cheerful cycles. It's good to share among friends.

Prayers for your hubby, HM.

Once again, it's busy here--too busy for my taste. But this is usually my busiest time of year. It should let up a bit next week.

Trick or treating went real well last night. I--mean the kids--got a lot of candy for me--I mean them--to eat.

Well, you'd think my nose was sharp enough by now, but it's back to the grindstone...

Me-They




November 01, 2007 - Msg 57627: Great to see you Pappa Bear - I am glad when you can check in.

Sterling - my kids have never seen Harry Potter and hopefully never will. If you read up on JK Rowlings - she isn't the sweet innocent that she is percieved to be. She has a university degree and she really does know the true side of witchcraft. She has packaged it to be romantic to young children.

We are going out to the inlaws for supper tonite - hubby's birthday is tomorrow. He finally catches up with my age!

homemaker


November 01, 2007 - Msg 57628: STERLING, I would certainly rather hear about your troubles, than not hear from you at all. I know I share "my share" of troubles here. So good to hear from you. I didn't realize that one of the Harry Potter characters had been "outed". I don't really know who the characters are, though. I've never seen a Potter movie or read one of the books. I won't be encouraging my children to, either. I hate to make a judgment on something I haven't seen, personally, but just from the previews of the movies, I know they aren't for me. I believe in steering clear of the witchcraft "entertainment". I know there are lots of folks who would not agree with me, though. I certainly hope your wife agrees that Golden Compass would be a very poor movie choice for Kai. *Glad you found your way out of the Remshaw place!*

You're too funny, M-T.

Happy Birthday to your hubby, Homemaker. Hope his knee doesn't give him too much trouble.

I have sort of had a lazy day today. I needed a break and I'M TAKIN' IT!....for a little while. I actually curled up in bed and took a nap for an hour. Woohoo! Everyone should do that from time to time. I am looking forward to the time change this weekend.

Later Gators,
Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57629: I agree about the Harry Potter books. Most disturbing to me is that Rowlings said that she said that the character's s*xual orientation had been alluded to a number of places throughout the series. She also has all but stated that she hopes this will desensitive kids to the subject.

If y'all want your kids to read/watch some imaginative fantasy stuff, I recommend "The Lord of the Rings" (though not for real little kids) and especially C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, which begins with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." C.S. Lewis' works have wonderful Christian allegories, and Tolkien, also a devout Christian, wrote real good stuff.

A fantasy series I do not recommend is "The Left Behind" series. When you start telling stories based on Biblical prophesy, you are playing with fire, in my opinion. And worse, some people take these works of fiction as espousing real truths to come. A germ of truth is there, but the authors add many layers of speculation and pure fantasy.

I missed your hubby's b-day, HM, so Happy Birthday Mr. Homemaker!

10-4!

Me-They
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57630: Oh, regarding that sick so-called Christian group, the suit was brought by a family that lives about a dozen miles from me. It was shameful, and downright evil, what they did and are doing. But I don't worry, He is a just God, who will judge according to our hearts and deeds. May God have mercy on those protesters souls.

Me-They
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57631: I happen to come across this verse from the bible today and thought about our discussion of Harry Potter. "Turn not to those who have familiar spirits or to wizards: do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."~Leviticus 19:31 One might argue that reading Harry Potter doesn't constitute "seeking out" wizards or witchcraft, but knowing how God feels about them, one wonders what good can come out of encouraging our children to become Harry Potter fans. I have also noticed that some kids are absolutely fanatical about the stuff. I have a friend who's son (age 11) is a Harry Potter fanatic and will read the books through in a very short time, and then continue to re-read them until the next one comes out. He even spends his time reading them throughout church on Sunday morning. I find this to be a problem, not sure how the rest of you feel.

Boo


November 01, 2007 - Msg 57632: A little humorous nots: this some boy has never been allowed to watch Spongebob Squarepants because the humor is in poor taste at times. The other day Sean asked me why the boy is allowed to read/watch Harry Potter but not Spongebob? In Texas, that's what we call "Gaggin' on a knat and swallowing a camel"!

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57633: "note", that is...
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57634: I like my camel with bbq ;).

M-T
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57635: Oh, you swallow camels in your neck of the woods, too, Me-They? Where's Rev Jr. with his BBQ sauce?...

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57636: Where's Auh2o, he should have an opinion about all this....? I just love opinions, even the ones that are different from mine. When I think about how dogmatic I used to be about just about everything in my 20's! Funny how you go from knowing everything to knowing next to nothing as you age. At least it seems that way to me.

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57637: I love chit-chat....And the guitar!!

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57638: You know what they say about opinions, don'tcha BOO?

Yeah, that knowledge does have a curve. I think I'm right there with you in the "knows next to nothing" age. Fortunately, some, like ROMEENA, get to enjoy the other end of the curve in the "with age comes wisdom" crowd. Of course, there's one dumb bunny in every hutch, and maybe I'll be that one. Smarts can be overated, and ignorance can be bliss.

I love chit-chat, too. And hangin' my head out the winder like a dog!

Me-They
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57639: And yes, we swallow camels here, too. Between that and pulling the logs out of our eyes, there's really not much to do.

M-T
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57640: Had to laugh at your comment, Boo, about what we knew in our 20s. I used to really hate one particular silly song on Veggie Tales, I mean I was sooo dogmatic about it being, bad, bad, bad. I saw it again recently, and I thought, "my what was I so up in arms about" I told my children I have no idea why that song bothered me. I, too, used to think I knew everything and now I think I don't know much of anything. It is interesting to watch my soon to be 15 year old. He's a great son. I'm very proud of him, but he's entering that age when he's got the world all figured out.

About Harry Potter, we never did it here. I just didn't feel comfortable. THe witchcraft bothered me. It is an abomination says God. Strong language, but Biblical. We do love C.S. Lewis and TOlkein. I like to have the kids read stuff that has been around awhile. Not so many "surprises" KWIM?

A series of books though my boys have enjoyed are by Brian Jacques. Not a Christian that I know of, but good books. Good for 5th grade and up. About a group of medieval mice who are monks fight battles etc.

Opiemom
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57641:
Here's another one for y'all: do you say
"ALL-monds" or "Am- onds? Again, I have heard that different parts of the country say it differently.
I think it is interesting haw many different friendships have sprung up here on the porch.
For example, PappaBear and I got to emailing and snailmail writing, I think RO and Boo have met,
Sterling and others have emailed each other, etc.
To me, that separates the true, real nature of this porch from other cyberplaces! We're much more open to discussions and opinions etc. many special values are strong here, yet not "dominating." And I think this has sparked many good friendships. There i said it and aint takin' it back.
Who was it who wasgoing 100 miles on their commute?
HM- that's great. Ya going to Morelli's?
Opiemom, when vegies first came out, i thought How silly, computerized talking vegetables, this will never last! ha I guess that Ha was on me!
Prayers continue,
MDC
Helen: That's what Andy said?, third party!?
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57642: MDC, I too said the same thing. I saw an ad in a magazine and thought, "A children's show with talking vegetables?!?! It will never last" Good thing they didn't ask us to invest huh?

Opiemom
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57643:
Hey Folks

Bust day here, meeting with lawyers. We just had the fifth death in the family in a little over two years. Four of the deaths had estates that had/have to be dealt with. This last one, my stepfathers (yeesh, I can't believe I called him that), has the makings of the one Mavis dealt with a little while back.

Boo-As for the "Harry Potter" books I have one daughters who reads like a vacuum eats dirt, insatiable. And, that includes all the "Harry Potter" books. She is not a huge fan of the series and I kinda treat it like "The Wizard of Oz." I guess what I mean is witches don't have no power around here. I can see the concern but I don't believe it is an issue, here. We go to the library every week and she gets about 3 books each time.

Rev-Thanks!

gotta run.
auh2o

November 01, 2007 - Msg 57644: Evenin' Porch Family:
Just stopped my to rock for a minute. Interesting posts on the "book club". I will refrain from voicing my opinion on the Harry papers.
Cool and crisp on this side of the porch. The trees are at their best for viewing and will make a wonderful back-drop to the applebutter boiling here Saturday!! Everyone drop on by- take a turn at the stirring and "cleaning the kettle" at the end of the day with a slice of fresh bread. Yum Yum, that's the best part. (certainly not getting cleaned up enough for a house full of company.)Or cooking for everyone. But the kids request we keep the tradition going, so here we go... ~New Neighbor
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57645:
"Ernest T, what about them cottonpickin' rocks?"
AUH20- prayers for you bro, that must be tough. My folks have a trust of which i am the trustee, so that has been a real blessing.
N Neighboer- sounds delicious! I will be making Christmas cookies in about a month, so we can swap goodies!
Ya'' have a super evening!
MDC
"C'me on Blue" I love barney's bloodhound!
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57646: Hi to all! Interesting topic today, for sure. Well, I might as well throw my little ole opinion in there...from the time my memory started, I was a HUGE fan of "The Wizard of Oz." As a matter of fact, it was like a holiday in our house when it would come on tv once a year. I don't think it did a bit of damage to me (well-those flying monkeys are creepy!), if nothing else, it got me interested in reading. My oldest wanted to see the first Potter movie. A friend and I went to see it before I gave her my answer and I had already read a couple of the books. She's mature and has a good head on her shoulders. I let her see it. And that was that. Much ado about nothing regarding Harry Potter in our house. I want to lead with a firm and guiding hand but not so much that it makes things more attractive to my children. Like AUH2O, I can see the concern for some, but it's not an issue for me personally.

BOO, we passed out KitKats, caramels, dum-dums, popcorn balls and Hershey kisses. I would never force Bit-O-Honey on a child. Or those horrible chewy molasses things wrapped in orange and black wax paper. Those things will be the last thing left on earth, I tell ya!

Beautiful day here. Took the littlest gherkin to the apple orchard in the next town over. It was a perfect day--sunny and in the 60's. Tonight we're supposed to dive into the freezing zone. I guess I'll finally have to break down and turn on the furnace. I always hate the first time I have to do that, the smell is so funny to me--like burned dust and dirt. Yuck.

Well, it's Sloppy Joe night and I better get to it before the kids attack their pumpkins brimming with high-fructose corn syrup!

Prayers and blessings for all! Merri W.
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57647:
Just wanted to let ya'll know, my above post is not and should not be considered as an indorsement of the "Harry Potter" books. Feel free to bash them without regard to my feelings. I guess I don't care enough about them to care. I have read two of them and thought very little of them, silly kids books, I guess. Or, just maybe, but I hope not, I could be experiencing that whole ignorance can be bliss thing that Me-They mentioned. Don't anyone ask what color the sky is in my world.

MDC-Thanks friend. Ya know, I have spoken to more lawyers over the last two years of my life than I did during the entire first forty-five years.

Otis: "He threw a tomato at me. Why'd ya throw a tomato at me, Barn?"

auh2o
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57648:
Hey there Merri W

auh2o
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57649: Hi all,

I would like to state why I never found Harry Potter to be that harmful. At least before the author outed a beloved main character AFTER millions of children(and adults) had become engrossed in the series, which, quite frankly, I find despicable that she did that.
And Me-They, I don't know where she alluded to the character's orientation in the books I have heard(cd). It wasn't anything very easy to pick up on if so.
Even on the Harry Potter fan boards(which I don't belong to but I began looking at recently to gauge how those fanatics feel about all this) the fans are divided about this relevation but even they say there was little to no clue to his orientation in the books. And these are people who dissect every word in the book, trust me. I live with one.

The reasons I never had too much of a problem with those books(or movies mostly as I generally prefer movies) was that I remember being a kid and really getting into Star Wars(still am for that matter - not the prequels so much - yuk!) and I saw the same thing with kids and the Harry Potter movies. I think most kids just think of it as fun and they are using their imagination. I did that alot when I was a kid and I still do. I also firmly believe that most of the kids who read it don't think that you can really ride around on a broomstick or cause a fire by waving a wand.

Another reason is at the end of the first movie. The headmaster Dumbledore(who incidently is the one "outed") is talking to Harry about Voldemort(if you don't know the story, Voldemort is an evil wizard who killed Harry's parents and tried to kill him too but failed, which is also how Harry got his distinctive scar) and why he was able to defeat him again, in this movie, simply by touching Voldemort's host's(I know, it's getting complicated) face, which caused the host to crumble into a million pieces and a weakened Voldemort to fly away in a cloud of vapor.
Harry replies that he doesn't know how Voldemort was unable to kill him again. And Dumbledore simply replies, "love". His mother's love. It was the thing that protected him then and it protected him now.
No magic. No spells. Just love.

I just thought it was interesting that for all the controversy over the use of witchcraft and all, the thing that saved the day had nothing at all to do with witchcraft.

Also on those fan boards, I noticed that some fans even found a lot of Christian principle's espoused in the series, and that the author herself had meant it to be that way.
Heck, I even read a column in Christianity Today, titled, "Why We Like Harry Potter".

So, yeah, there is a lot of confusion all around about this it seems.
Some fans are disappointed but they tend to brush it off; I think because they are already caught up in the Potter-mania and they don't want to ruin it any more than it has been ruined.

Other fans think the author was "brave" for saying what she did.
Huh? Come again? ...Brave?
If she wanted to be brave she should have mentioned this BEFORE the books became a runaway success. But then she probably wouldn't have had the success she had, would she?! I don't think parents would have been so supportive of this fantasy world, because adding se*uality to it, and an unnatural se*uality at that, brings the whole thing out of that playful, imaginary world and into an all too real, and disturbing, world.

There, that's my opinion on that.


By the way, Ro. You mentioned honey-crisp apples. I declare, those are the best apples I have ever tasted. I had stopped eating apples for the most part because most of them were bitter tasting. Then last year I bought some honey-crisp apples, thinking - but not really believing - that since it says "honey" in the name it SHOULD taste sweet.
And sure enough I was not disappointed!
I am going to have to go get me some more of those.

-Sterling Holobyte
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57650: Not much worse for the palate than a mealy apple--blah! Honey-crisp are divine!

Hey, AUH20 and to Sterling! Sterling, you made a good point about the "love" part.

Ya know, at the end of the day, we all make the best possible choices for our families. At least here on the porch. I have no doubt about any of you doing what you think is best and what's in the best interest of your beloved children.

Speaking of children, I got a couple of "saucy" ones to get washed up!

Have a good evening everyone! MW

P.S. RO, looking forward to "Starr-Day!"
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57651:
Well, I wasnt going to say anything, but I think i will. The one thing that any Christian must ask (and I do realize that we're not all Christians here), but if you are, one must ask is this (whatever the activity is)in allignment with God's Word, as Boo alluded to by actually using a Scripture passage. If it doesnt pass that test, then we should really scrutinize it, and use a lot of discernment. Especially these days, as Sterling mentioned about Sin City, for example. I have said this before, but will risk it one more time, in Rev 3, God says that he wants us hot (or cold) but not lukewarm.
It is an "all or none" proposition.
If one goes to see that stuff, then one must be ready for the "consequences." Yes, kids may take it as pure fantasy, but what sort of seed has been sown that may come to the forefront later, and then how will it be dealt with?
OK, I guess that's enough. ha Sorry to have gone on like this.
Ya all have a good evening. Love ya bunches,
ole MDC

November 01, 2007 - Msg 57652: Hey yall!...brother Rev,Starr to be soon,Romeena,Boo,hazwl,maude,possum,horatio,mdc,md,asa,sterling,auh20,m-t and all gosh been trimming trees and praying for rain...got the Boat down here from the upper field for the winterizing...then move it to the barn....well got to read the mail but may have to wait till morning at work at 6am...IM TIRED..breakfast will be at I-HOP on MDS...yall get a corner booth K?..prayers to all...hey there Lucy and Opiemom..SPOT
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57653: Wish somebody would throw a tomato at me, I ain't had my lunch yet hehe couldn't resist that, thanks for that quote auh2o one of my favorites MDC I'm sorry to hear of yet another death in your family & I pray this last one is not like my mother's, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy! Here we are over 3 years later & I am STILL dealing with that wretched estate! I love my mother dearly, but I declare there are days, if she were here, I would wring her neck for not taking care of things! Merri that is too cool about the kids being honest with your bowl of candy. I sure missed not having a little one to dress up, my little one ain't little no more! (hows that for the word police~do I get an ice cream cone for not saying "ain't") hehe
I'm off here, things to do! Can't wait for Starr day to get here!
Prayers for everyone!
*Mavis
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57654: Hey my friend Mavis!...Merri!..prayers MDC,ray miller...Mav I have to admit i say "aint"...sorry yall...and I aint sorry!...brother Rev where ya at man?..well hey NW and all...CHUCK!...ironing boark for me ...4 am get up time...Romeena ya working nights?...see yall at the I-HOP....POT
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57655: thats "SPOT"...gosh lets keep is nice....me
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57656: I know what you mean Mavis, that episode with the tomato scene kills me! I just love it.

Well, I've given Harry Potter a little more thought and I don't really think that it can be compared to something like The Wizard Of Oz, especially if the headmaster is gay...(although I have heard rumors about the Tin Man....)...sorry, couldn't resist. Seriously, though, I figure there is so much good literature out their for children that I think it wise to bypass Harry Potter. I really don't want my kids to have anything to do with witchcraft, besides teaching them what the bible has to say about it and answering their questions as well as I can. There are so many good books out there to spark a child's imagination and give them a love of reading. Someone mentioned the Narnia Chronicles. I will never forget the affect they had on me when I first read them in the 6th grade. It was a spiritual experience and bore good fruit in my life. I can't help but wonder what kind of fruit Harry Potter might bear in years to come, as MDC mentioned....just food for thought. I have mentioned this before, but when I was very young I was exposed to the occult by my mother. We had Ouija boards, the occasional seance, etc. My first memory of seeing a movie was Rosemary's Baby. I was about 5 and it scared me to death...not that any of you would ever do that to your children. My mom was not very wise in those days. Anyway, I lived in fear most of my young life. I believe those things had a profound affect on me for years to come. I don't want anything to do with any of it. I am thinking of the verse in Philippians that talks about what we are supposed to set out minds on...the things that are true, and good, of good report, praiseworthy, etc. What we think about and expose out minds to can affect us in very negative ways even as adults, much more so as children, I would think. I know we can't protect our children from everything and we need to prepare them for life in this world. I allow my kids to be exposed to certain things as a method to teach them about such and what my beliefs are, but I don't want to submerge them in those things. My opinion, certainly don't want to judge anyone since it would require that I remove this big log from my eye...

Get some rest SPOT.

I never even heard of a Honey Crisp Apple. Are they easy to find in the supermarket?

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57657: I came across this article that I think Christian parents might like to read about Harry Potter and Rowlings: www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html

Boo
November 01, 2007 - Msg 57658:
Hello porch family....Warm day here in SC

Another day closer to STARR day.

As for the subject of Harry Potter, I can't say much because I've never seen the movie/book and I don't know anything about either. The only thing that I've ever heard is from Christian media and it wasn't good. MDC is so right about our lifestyles being lukewarm and using discernment. We have to be on guard at all times lest we be overcome. I think we need to search our heart on things like this. I guess thinking back to when I was a kid, I didn't think much of Batman or Superman (with their supernatural powers) as being anti-Christian. It was just make believe to me. Good verses evil with the good always winning. We just need to pray and ask God to lead us as to what we should or should not see. From my understanding of Harry Potter, it deals with witchcraft and sorcery so I choose to say no. Opiemom had good advice when she posted "I just didn't feel comfortable (with Harry Potter)." I think we need to search our heart and if God convicts us, then leave it alone.

Well folks, I'm gonna turn in for the night. You all have a blessed night and prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.




November 01, 2007 - Msg 57659:
Hey there POT..I mean Spot....didn't see ya there brother. Get some rest buddy and I'll be at IHop bright and early.

Boo...Neither had I ever heard of the Honey Crisp apples. Sounds good though.

Blessings....-REV.
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57660: Hey Mavis! Hey Rev! Hey Spot! Hey MDC! And hey to anyone else out there...

Chilly night--ready for a nice long Fall nap.

I think it's great that a lot of you fellow porchsters are looking out for what's best for your children. You have to do what you're convicted to do! I just happen to think that for ME and my family, there wasn't a whole lot of difference in the genre sense between Oz and Potter. It didn't bother me then and it still doesn't bother me, but nor do we have anything to do with it. I initially read a couple books to see what all the hub-bub was about and I came away with a good vs. evil story and not much else. All this literature talk reminded me of the Grimm Fairy tales and how it was all about darkness, evil and death but yet for generations, people have regarded them as classics. Frankly, I'm more concerned with things like "Bratz" dolls that look like street walkers, the Olson Twin clothing line that looks tailor made for 20-somethings to go "clubbing" in (for example), teen shows on children's networks that show teenagers making-out and etc. I am far more concerned for the spiritual and mental repercussions of early s*xualization of young girls, specifically my girls! I'm thankful that my kids will sit down with me and watch Andy or Green Acres rather than the programming that's geared for kids today. Heck, most of the time, they want to play board games, color, read picture books or do craft projects rather than watch tv and that's just fine with me!

Well, I'm working a shift at Red Cross tomorrow so I best close this post for now. So interesting to see what everyone's opinions are! I've really enjoyed today's topic! Prayers for Porch friends who need them. Wishing you ALL peace and health--nighty-night! MW


November 02, 2007 - Msg 57661: Four days until STARR arrives. . . . .
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57662: Morning all!..yall pray for rain on the southern end of the porch [Ga]...we are in a mess...Well I got the truck running yall jump in and lets go to the I-Hop..at work now...back in a bit...SPOT
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57663:
Morning Porch

22 degrees this morning but sunny, sunny, sunnny!

MDC- Put me down as an "ALL-mond" and a "PE-can." And, I order "pop" not "soda," ya say soda around here and you'll get a scoop of vanilla ice-cream in your coke.

Merri-I sure hope this doesn't hurt your standing on the Porch but I agree with everything you said.

For my way of thinking, a "witch" is a "witch" and a "magical land" is a "magical land." Anyone who has been in the unfortunate position (in the non-cyber world) to have had to suffer through my rants knows that's what I believe. That being said, I still gotta put "Harry Potter" in the same category as "Scooby Doo" or "The Wizard of Oz." You show me a "good witch" and I'll show you a "witch." Myself, I prefer a sandwich, ham and provolone, sorry. I'm afraid that to give "Harry Potter," a silly book, more weight, is simply giving it more weight.

Rev- I agree with you when you said, "Opiemom had good advice when she posted 'I just didn't feel comfortable (with Harry Potter).' I think we need to search our heart and if God convicts us, then leave it alone. I can't tell you how many things our girls can't do that their friends are allowed to do. But, they know we love 'em!

Here's the next greatest story never told, The economy grew 4% and created over 160,000 new jobs last quarter. We can't report something like that, my goodness no.

This is for you Spot,
"A rainy night in Georgia
A rainy night in Georgia
I believe that it's raining all over the world
I feel that it's raining all over the world"

auh2o
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57664: Hi folks--Haven't been on the porch for a while due to health problems. I am glad everyone had a safe and happy Halloween.
You might say I took a room at the Mayberry Hotel last night--I was having a bout with insomina and ended up watching all of my newly bought season four.
Has a few of my favorites--"Hot Rod Otis" "Brisco declares for Aunt Bea" and " My Fair Ernest T Bass".
With the Holidays approching, my thoughts turn to my own privet " Mayberry" The small town in upstate New York where I spent my early childhood.
It was sort of Mayberry with snow.
I recall my childhood alot this time of year and the dear ones that are gone--talk about vacent chairs.
My daughter can't get home and I can't afford to go to her this year again.
Every time I watch AGS I can't help crying at some point. My foster Mom was just like Aunt Bea--they even looked the same.
Ahappynut
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57665: Good morning all! Agreeing with you Merri regarding the Bratz dolls. Yuck! Don't get me started on girls' clothes. Wait until you have an 11 year old. It is soo hard to find appropriate clothes and then to find stylish ones. Thankfully, we have several girls in our church who are wonderful examples of how to be stylish and modest at the same time.

Well we're one week from the opening of THe Music Man. Excitement is running high around here with my three. Rehearsal every night next week. Not sure how I'm going to handle dinners. My MIL is coming in late Thursday, so I have to get the house presentable. I love her dearly, but she is one of those who had a spotless house even with 5 kids at home. SOmehow we can't quite manage that. SO I'm hoping to make a big dent in it this weekend.

Opiemom
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57666: Good morning everyone.

It's good to see a moulage that I didn't start, for a change ;). My kids are still too young for the Harry Potter series and movies, so I haven't officially crossed that particular bridge yet. Hopefully, I won't have to. I statyed my feeling yesterday, but that was based on what I feel is right for my family. I am sufficiently unsure about Harry Potter's value as to not cast too wide a generalization. I fact, I will even concede that I could be wrong (take it while you can get it!). On the subject of Oz, I will say that I find the movie much less objectionable that the actual books, which I find uncomfortable in their dealings with magic, but that's me.

I guess this is on of the those things, like traditional hymns and praise music, that we can put in the category of agree to disagree. But hymns ARE best.

I will admit that I, too, am much more worried about things like Bratz dolls, french maid Halloween costumes for preteens, and other vile fashions than I am about Harry. I'm just not wild about Harry.

See y'all at lunch.

Me-They
"You got witchery in your family!"
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57667: Hey! Let's start a good old fashioned book burning! My contribution is "The Old Man and the Sea." Making a student read that oughta be illegal. Hemingway could write sentences that lasted a whole page.

My favorite Mark Twain quotes are about Jane Austen: "Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book."

"I haven't any right to criticise books, and I don't do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticise Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can't conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Everytime I read 'Pride and Prejudice' I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone."

I hear ya, Mark.

Me-They

November 02, 2007 - Msg 57668: Would ya'll believe that I cannot stand the Wizard of Oz! I know that is shocking but that movie scared the peejeemies out of me as a child and to this day - don't like it one bit. I think my youngest has seen it but not sure about the oldest. Could you tell that I am not wild about Harry either!? Almost let my guard down because his books are worth a million points for AR but stood my ground and said no!

And yes, M-T, hymns are best unless there is a good praise song that I like. I really like a hymn called "The Matchless Grace of Jesus." Fantastic four part harmony!

Catch ya'll later!

hm


November 02, 2007 - Msg 57669: AUH2O: I'm drinking a Coke right now and would welcome some vanilla ice cream in it.

M-T
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57670: Hey Me-They--Book burning? that smacks a bit of Nazi-isim. I am the live and let live type --unless some one is commiting a crime. If we start burning books--what next?
Sucidide vests?
Ahappynut
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57671: HM: Those flying monkey scared the pants off my younger brother when he was a kid. They had si=uch an impact that to this day he is uncomfortable watching it. He had the same experinece with the "kid catcher" in the movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." I love that movie.

M-T
"Ice cream and lollipops!"
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57672: I was just kidding, AHAPPYNUT. I would really burn books. Now videos, that's another matter entire...

;)

M-T
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57673: That's "wouldn't really!"

M-T
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57674: Ok me---you had me scard for a moment there!!!
Ahappynut
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57675: by the way I do cull my DVD collection on occasion
Ahappynut
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57676:
Me-They Just think of the carbon offset you'd have to provide for all the book burings. But, if you must, toss in "An Inconvenient Truth" for me. Nothing I hate more than pseudoscience or revisionist history, anything by Paul Krugman or Noam Chomsky. Man oh man!! Think of the stench a Chomsky book gives off.

M-T Vanilla in coke always sounds good to me. And yes, hymns are the best.

Ahappynut-Sure hope you're feeling better real soon. With all the passings we've had the last couple of years, there has been much reflection here. It will be 30 years this January since I last seen my Dad. Boy, that hurt to type.

auh2o
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57677:
In The Garden

"He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing."

auh2o

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/g/itgarden.htm
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57678: Speaking of "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" Have any of you ever read the book? We like the movie here and later read the book. We really liked it. It was almost completely different story. The similarities. Hmmm. There was a car that could fly. The father was married, ANyway, Just thought I'd throw this it for what it's worth. WE loved both of them. THe lollipop man did scare dh as a child as did the flying monkeys in Oz.

Opiemom

November 02, 2007 - Msg 57679: AUH2O: I forgot to express my sympathies for your loss(es). That was rather thoughtless of me.

My favorite:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal....(v4)That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.

Me-They
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57680: Thanks auh20..hey M-T..hey Opiemom,hazel,brother Rev,Starr,Ro,Boo,possum and all my friends...busy busy here at work,classes coming through and I have to do all the talking!..but dont mind seeing young kids getting ready for a power company carrier!...Lunch:Open face hot roast beef sandwiches,garden salad and sweet tea..little green onions...back in a bit...SPOT
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57681: Okay - here is my hymn. . .

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

I hate to say this but where is George? He would enjoy this discussion!

homemaker
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57682: Hey, I like hymns and praise choruses. Love the ones you all shared MT and auh2o.

I heard a great story about "In the Garden". Once I heard on the the radio a Chinese pastor talking about a time when he'd been imprisoned in China. ANyway, he was assigned to clean the cess pools while in prison. THis was the only place he could be alone in prison. THe guards didn't go there because of the stench. HE talked about how it was the garden that he and Jesus could converse in and then he started singing "In the Garden". I'll never forget that. It was beautiful.

OPiemom
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57683: Spot - on them there sammiches, is that with or without gravy and mashed taters. . .I just love a good Manhatten. . .it's as close as I'll get to New York City!

Sing on everyone!

hm
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57684: HM, we must have posted at the same time. I love that hymn you posted. I never knew it growing up, but we sing it quite a bit at the church we are at now.

Opiemom
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57685: Opiemom - the church that I go to now does not have enough people to sing it properly. . .so I haven't heard it in a while, but it still sounds pretty in my memory. I have a fairly low talking voice but I have a range singing voice - so I am one of those women who sing the high note at the end without even having to be pinched!

hm
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57686: - - -that should have been a high range singing voice - - -

geesh, I should proofread better!

hm
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57687:
"Look at old Jack Mackelberry living by himself for 25 years."
BOO- you mentioned another good verse, but dont forget the REST of that oft chopped off passage which says, once you have removed the log from your eye (by confessing and repenting) then you will "see clearly" to go and remove the splinter from your brother's eye (to tell HIM the need to confess and repent.) Like your help with the girls. If no one did that type of evangelizing from year 33 to the present, where would the Church be today?
Time for some more memorial Thanksgiving stories, funny or serious. I love to read those each year.
Y'all have a good weekend.
Prayers,
MDC
Barney to Thelma Lou: OK, I'm going all out, no more Specials, from now on it's steak sandwiches. And no more soup OR salad, it's gonna be BOTH.

November 02, 2007 - Msg 57688: Good point MDC, thanks.

Loved the words to that hymn, Homemaker, wow! Wish I could hear it set to music.

I love your favorite hymn, too, M-T. I have a favorite that goes:

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free.
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In it's fullness over me.
Underneath me,
All around me,
Is the current of His love,
Leading onward,
Leading homeward,
To my glorious rest above.

Praise the Lord!! I LOVE those hymns.

Good point you make Merri, about our little girls. We have had the BRATS conversation here before. Dreadful dolls that look like prostitutes. I am also very disgusted by the teen shows on Nick and Disney, seeing the young ones kissing. My Erin is only 6 and it is hard to find clothes that look like they were made for a little girl. I find them in very high-end stores more often but don't want to pay those prices. Sometimes I find suitable dresses on sale or in the better thrift stores.

Good to see you HappyNut. Sounds like you aren't very happy right now. I hope things are better for you soon and that you can enjoy the holidays. Keep coming around and visiting with us.

Please pray for a local family. Last night at around 3am, a 2 year old little boy wandered out of his house and was killed by an 18-wheeler. Don't know yet why a 2 year old was wandering on the street at that time but he had to have walked at least a good block to get to the main street where he was killed. Hopefully will find out more on the news this evening.

Well, tonight is date night so I think i will kick back a bit and rest so I will feel like going to do something.

Me-They, your comment about Jane Austen was quite funny! Why is it you dislike her so? I have not read any of her books but I think I saw a movie of Pride and Predjudice once...can't really remember much about it. I'm not really that "literary"...did I spell that right? I have several books going all the time but they aren't by famous authors. I like biographies and non-fiction written by Christian authors, mainly. I did enjoy the James Herriot books recently. I tried to read the first of the "Left Behind" series that you mentioned earlier but it scared me. I didn't dare try the next in the series.

Very sad about not seeing your Dad in such a long time, Auh2o. I'm sorry, friend.

Boo
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57689: BOO: Them's weren't my words; they were Mark Twain's, though I might tend to agree with him. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'd dig her up and beat her with her own chin bone.

Y'all have a great evening and a wonderful weekend.

Me-They
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57690: IN LANDS ACROSS THE SEA.
Let freemen's hearts grow bolder,
Let freemen's banner fly,
Where God's four winds unfold her
To God's uncharted sky
His word and not anothers
Is pledged to liberty;
His hand hath made men brothers
His truth shall make men free.
Where freedom's flag is flying
In lands across the sea
On thee we are relying
Great Gd we count on thee!
For right is right forever,
Thought men have crowned the wrong,
And truth shall perish never-
Great God, how long? how long?
When our brave lad's are dying
In lands across the sea
On thee we are relying
Great God, they die for thee!
And if we lay then sleeping
In lands beyond the sea,
God, have them in thy keeping-
We leave thim there with thee.

TOM

November 02, 2007 - Msg 57691: Hi All.
it going to be a cold night.


TOM

November 02, 2007 - Msg 57692:
Hello porch family.

auh2o...prayers for you buddy

Hello Happynut....so good to see you back. Pray you're feeling better.

Spot...you keep giving those lectures, we gonna have to start calling you Professor Spot. Brother praying for rain in your area.

Opiemom....that's such a powerful story. We need to have our own "Garden" for the Lord.

Prayers for the family that Boo posted. That is so sad.

Getting closer Ro....Counting them down with ya!

You all have a great nights sleep. Prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57693:
Tom....Stay warm buddy!
-REV.
November 02, 2007 - Msg 57694: Yes, Rev, it's very sad. I heard more on the story in tonight's news. The little boy walked a half a mile in the fog around 3am before he was hit and killed. It turns out that the child's mom is a drug addict who has been in trouble for negligence. The child was left in her care as long as she remained in the residence of the child's grandmother. Very sad situation. One can only assume that the mom was high when the child wandered out of the apartment at 3 in the morning. I hope I'm wrong. So sad to think that the child would still be alive if the state had removed him from that environment.

Well, goodnight. Hope everyone has a peaceful night's sleep.

TOM, were those words of a hymn you posted? They were beautiful.

Boo