[Pinecone]

So every year on my birthday, I get a very caring e-mail from Landover Baptist wishing me well. I know it’s an automated process, but I still find it very touching, so thanks to you all for that.

So let’s see what’s happened in the past 12 years... had two more children, up to four. Got blown up in Afghanistan, lived in Korea for three years with the Army, came back to the states, got tongue cancer twice, had to medically retire, and now I’m getting ready to substitute teach.

I know it seems like an aweful lot, a rough road for sure, but I genuinely express my gratitude to God every step of the way. Sure, cancer was rough, radiation was absolutely monstrous, but I lived and I’m healing. God could have taken me on the sands of Afghanistan; but instead, He granted me a decade and more with my family. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful for it. Every decision I’ve made, and every ounce of God’s will-done has brought my family to where it is today: safe, healthy, whole, and full of so much promise for the future. It’s impossible to have regrets.

I promise you all of this is 100% true, can a get an Amen once or twice?

[WWJDnow]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

So every year on my birthday, I get a very caring e-mail from Landover Baptist wishing me well. I know it’s an automated process, but I still find it very touching, so thanks to you all for that.

You're welcome, and welcome back!

had two more children, up to four.

Excellent! You are fruitful and multiplying, just as the Lord requires of us.

Got blown up in Afghanistan

Ha ha ha... what a loser dupe sucker!

got tongue cancer twice

Why didn't you tell us? We would have prayed for you!

I know it seems like an aweful lot, a rough road for sure, but I genuinely express my gratitude to God every step of the way. Sure, cancer was rough, radiation was absolutely monstrous, but I lived and I’m healing. God could have taken me on the sands of Afghanistan; but instead, He granted me a decade and more with my family. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful for it. Every decision I’ve made, and every ounce of God’s will-done has brought my family to where it is today: safe, healthy, whole, and full of so much promise for the future. It’s impossible to have regrets.

What a beautiful message of strength and hope! We can all learn from the lesson of the Book of Job: God and the Devil, on a lark, decided to kill Job's family, give him terrible skin diseases, and bankrupt him. But, through his years of misery, Job never gave up his faith in the Lord, so God rewarded him with a new family and flocks and clear skin. So it all worked out for the best. I wish you the same!

I promise you all of this is 100% true, can a get an Amen once or twice?

Amen and amen!

[MitzaLizalor]

Hi .. Glad you're back. I've only joined recently but noticed your posts and was wanting to follow up on something. It's about the goth. We know they choose clothes by studying whatever "normal" is for where they are and then go for something completely the opposite. They say it's to express their individuality and get very upset when the "scene" look or the "EMO" or "jrock" styles (all completely indistinguishable from one another) are conflated. We know they're trying camouflage to hide from God.

What I wanted to ask you is whether according to your experiences they're also hiding from themselves? By confusing identities in such a way that you can't tell whether they're human or alien or even a tree! Some of them go tree hugging and dress like that, even thinking the trees talk to them when they bury themselves underneath in the roots, covered with leaves.

Your travels will have shown you many different cultural norms, clothing styles and so on. Are the goths always so contrary?

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by WWJDnow

Why didn't you tell us? We would have prayed for you!

You know, that's one area I imagine I've been falling short in my Christian journey: infrequently praying for help. I'll thank and apologize in prayer all day long, but I've been so blessed in life, I generally take it for granted that God will make sure I'm where I need to be, when I need to be there, with what I need to accomplish what I'm meant to accomplish. Still, it's not about getting what you want, it's about ceding control to a loving Father, so I need to work on it.


Reference Philippians 4:6-7, "6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


Bonus Philippians!


"8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Originally Posted by WWJDnow

the Book of Job: God and the Devil, on a lark, decided to kill Job's family, give him terrible skin diseases, and bankrupt him. But, through his years of misery, Job never gave up his faith in the Lord, so God rewarded him with a new family and flocks and clear skin. So it all worked out for the best.

There's nothing larkish about it, the author of Job was divinely inspired to teach us a valuable lesson about the nature of our relationship with the Heavenly Father. Whenever the question comes up, "What is a man worth?" the book of Job has an answer for us. In the grand scheme of things, why do we exist? Why were we created so flawed? Why is there sin, and pain, and death? Why do bad things happen to good people? It is a transcendent answer, one that exceeds any single book of the Bible, but it is an answer you cannot arrive out without a good hard look at the book of Job.


We exist to bring glory to God, and we were instilled with free will to do so worthily. Job had a hard go of it, and as such, is granted eternal remembrance as a champion of steadfastness, an example of just how noble we can be; just as Zacchaeus stands (or rather crouches in a tree >.>) to show us that we should always aspire to do and be better, with humility.

Originally Posted by WWJDnow

I wish you the same!

Amen and amen!

Thanks brother!

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by MitzaLizalor

Hi .. Glad you're back.

Howdy, ma'am! Good to be back.

Originally Posted by MitzaLizalor

What I wanted to ask you is whether according to your experiences they're also hiding from themselves? By confusing identities in such a way that you can't tell whether they're human or alien or even a tree! Are the goths always so contrary?

That is an excellent question, and the answer on all counts is yes. People want to feel like they're special, regardless of where they hail from. On some level, they harbor feelings that they are unique, worthy, and distinct, regardless of what self-confidence issues to the contrary might seem to suggest. There's is the only mind they can hear, and that has to mean they're something meaningful, right?They hide from their banal selves, preferring the fool's motley.


So when a mundane person leading a mundane life decides to take a shortcut to specialness, unwilling to put in the time or effort to develop objectively worthwhile skills, abilities, or personality, they can slap on some Jincos and studded bracelets, and gorge themselves with the delusion of counterculture symbology. There's also an element of community identity to it, belonging, because for somethings so "original," there's a reason there are mall shelves are overflowing with the stuff. And yes, all the internet has has accomplished is precluding the need to walk outside to engage that subculture, further insulating them from the challenges of engaging a wider community in the sunlight.


Let's look to Deuteronomy 28:47-48: "47 Because thou servedst not theLordthy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee."


It's like these so called "Satanic Temple" clowns. Secular humanists who don't even believe in the Devil, posing as a religion for no purpose no more virtuous than to irritate decent folk and grant their half-baked political philosophies unqualified, unquantified volume. I don't know what is a lower, an actual agent of Lucifer, or a self-righteous, arrogant poseur. It's the best they could come up with to feel special; sadder than wearing Panic at the Disco shirts and black eyeliner for sure.


Christians, on the other hand, have a much healthier manner in which to celebrate our superiority. We know cosmic truths. We have an omnipotent benefactor who can and does intercede on our behalf. We have access to a tight community of the generous and virtuous. We have the means to achieve eternal perfection, happiness, and love... buuuuut, this comes with a solemn obligation to love our neighbors as ourselves, and a sworn duty to do our utmost to ensure that this precious gift of salvation is enjoyed by as many souls as possible.


It's enough to make you think.

[WWJDnow]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

So when a mundane person leading a mundane life decides to take a shortcut to specialness, unwilling to put in the time or effort to develop objectively worthwhile skills, abilities, or personality, they can slap on some Jincos and studded bracelets, and gorge themselves with the delusion of counterculture symbology.

I have no clue what Jincos are. But I do know that the only shortcut to specialness is through the sweet smelling blood of Christ Jesus.

[Isabella White]

Greetings in ' Precious Name to you, dear Mr. Pinecone. It's awfully nice of you to visit with us, and I so hope that your birthday has been a joyous and peaceful event. But, Dear, please know that you are very welcome to visit with us at any time, and not just during your birthday celebrations. It's been very nice of you to post your message, and I do hope that we will have the pleasure of having fellowship with you again in the near future, here, at .

[Bubba Buck]

I don’t quite recall the last time I logged in. I do, however, remember being unwelcome after posting pictures of a toilet seat with me.

[James Hutchins]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

So every year on my birthday, I get a very caring e-mail from Landover Baptist wishing me well. I know it’s an automated process, but I still find it very touching, so thanks to you all for that.

So let’s see what’s happened in the past 12 years... had two more children, up to four. Got blown up in Afghanistan, lived in Korea for three years with the Army, came back to the states, got tongue cancer twice, had to medically retire, and now I’m getting ready to substitute teach.

I know it seems like an aweful lot, a rough road for sure, but I genuinely express my gratitude to God every step of the way. Sure, cancer was rough, radiation was absolutely monstrous, but I lived and I’m healing. God could have taken me on the sands of Afghanistan; but instead, He granted me a decade and more with my family. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful for it. Every decision I’ve made, and every ounce of God’s will-done has brought my family to where it is today: safe, healthy, whole, and full of so much promise for the future. It’s impossible to have regrets.

I promise you all of this is 100% true, can a get an Amen once or twice?

The emails aren ot automated, Miss Cookie sends each one personally and types them individually.
While I am glad to see you are back, what have you done for God and the Church? Life is not all about you.

[MitzaLizalor]

Originally Posted by WWJDnow

I have no clue what Jincos are.

Oh, they're something like Zoo York but from the West coast. I've never been to New York, it sounds dreadful. Not so long ago I was obliged to go in a boat and also to go swimming when the rope broke and the idiot on the boogie board couldn't swim. We'd been shopping in Hawaii and I had on these new clothes (foolishly trying to "fit in") and since I was the only one left in the boat (other than the driver who was concentrating on going as fast as possible) there was no choice. Grabbing the rope I followed it along until I got to the board and assisted the idiot. We sat there until the boat came back but the wretched garments which were brand new seemed designed to disintegrate even as you wore them!! Rips appeared and threadbare bits pulled apart and if you tried to move another tear would appear somewhere especially since they were now wet.

Everything was available in black only. I'd thought they used to give their clothes to the dog to play with for a couple of weeks before wearing them: apparently not. They're made like that. But look OK to start with, when you buy them. Even worse was that I'd already sent my luggage to LA so had nothing to change into and wasn't going shopping again so arrived looking like something the cat dragged in.

Stick to mainstream boutiques would be my advice.

[Basilissa]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

So every year on my birthday, I get a very caring e-mail from Landover Baptist wishing me well. I know it’s an automated process, but I still find it very touching, so thanks to you all for that.

So let’s see what’s happened in the past 12 years... had two more children, up to four. Got blown up in Afghanistan, lived in Korea for three years with the Army, came back to the states, got tongue cancer twice, had to medically retire, and now I’m getting ready to substitute teach.

I know it seems like an aweful lot, a rough road for sure, but I genuinely express my gratitude to God every step of the way. Sure, cancer was rough, radiation was absolutely monstrous, but I lived and I’m healing. God could have taken me on the sands of Afghanistan; but instead, He granted me a decade and more with my family. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful for it. Every decision I’ve made, and every ounce of God’s will-done has brought my family to where it is today: safe, healthy, whole, and full of so much promise for the future. It’s impossible to have regrets.

I promise you all of this is 100% true, can a get an Amen once or twice?

Well hello and back to the forum, and Amen!

Wow, it seems God really took you for a ride, didn't He? If Job's example could serve us in this case, the only thing that's missing is God killing all of your family - only to eventually replace them with a whole new and improved family, of course:

Job 42:12-15
12 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

I'm sure by the time God completely reverses your cancer, you will be enjoying your new family!

[Mary Etheldreda]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

We have access to a tight community of the generous and virtuous. We have the means to achieve eternal perfection, happiness, and love... buuuuut, this comes with a solemn obligation to love our neighbors as ourselves,

Thank Jesus for Freehold. The church elders and city council make sure the neighborhoods aren't tainted with the coloreds, feminists, liberals, or vegetarians. It's easy to love my neighbor when he isn't trying to teach my children Islam.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

and a sworn duty to do our utmost to ensure that this precious gift of salvation is enjoyed by as many souls as possible.

Within reason of course. We wouldn't throw precious pearls after swine, after all (Matthew 7:6). The liberals have taken over parts of the country, passing laws that glorify pedophilia in California and making it illegal to offend a Black Transgender Marxist in Oregon by disagreeing with anything they say. And you think our duty is to waste time with them? No way! The LORD is burning Sodom and Gomorrah to the Ground! And good riddance. He will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7)!

Anyway, I'm sorry you raised the LORD's hackles such that He chose to rebuke you for whatever sin you harbored, but I'm glad to see you've repented. Welcome back, dear.

[I Man Rastafari]

Greetings Pinecone!

I wish to bid you welcome on the occasion of your triumphant return and also to introduce I. I am not a member of this forum because it is a forum for Baptist people and I am Rastafari. I am a friendly Black man who enjoys studying white people and so I come to this forum where I am fairly well tolerated and only occasionally rebuked.


It is Trevor McGregor who speaks late of Tivoli Gardens in the city of Kingston on the island of Jamaica which is my home. I have come to Babylon to study at Georgetown University which is in Georgetown but I don't know why it is called that because it is part of Washington DC which is the lair of President Donald Trump and the White Nationalists. I have chosen the course of study which is training I to be a TV anchorman and soon I hope to get a job on CNN. I have applied for an internship at CNN and I am certain I will be chosen because I keep I with clean dreads and I have large shiny teeth that will look good on the camera. Also I have a West Indies accent so I will help to make CNN seem worldly.


Jah Guide!
Trevor

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Perhaps if Mr. Pinecone played some heroic role in the Great Trump Afghanistan victory, he could pray on that and perhaps God would stop sending him trials. For example, if Mr. Pinecone had got himself losered, sorry injured on the first day then that's one factor God could consider. But if he took out an enemy sniper by storming his position and stabbing him in the throat that is quite another. We all recall Pastor Pistle's Vietnam Miracle, of course.

[MitzaLizalor]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

People want to feel like they're special

One way to feel special..is to uniquely understand the "cis hetero-patriarchal racial capitalist violence" upon which "the so-called United States" was founded. What could possibly be the solution? Several proposals are put forward (not by me) such as Looting or to outright dis the work ethic itself.

II Thessalonians 3:11-12 [Paul writes] There are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

..feelings that they are unique, worthy, and distinct, regardless of what self-confidence issues to the contrary might seem to suggest.

Nobody coming to America came to escape persecution because of Ganesh. They came to serve God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, not very likely under Kings Henry VII & VIII or the humanist agenda brought in by daughter Elizabeth.

So they got out.

For rioters to eat their own bread surely they'd need to renounce the drivel they spout concerning property & validation for subsequent ownership of looted goods to have any bread to eat in the first place?

If there were no bread to loot, how could they ever eat? The goths you're describing clearly have nothing to do with Jesus and are more aligned with forces opposing Elizabeth: the forces of Rome. From their idiotic couture to their demonic jewels, it's pope central.

Seoul and Incheon aren't too bad. Can it be a coincidence that development follows acceptance of Christ and all the new Christian Churches? (That's what I thought anyway.)

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by Isabella White

Greetings in ' Precious Name to you, dear Mr. Pinecone. It's awfully nice of you to visit with us, and I so hope that your birthday has been a joyous and peaceful event. But, Dear, please know that you are very welcome to visit with us at any time, and not just during your birthday celebrations.

Pleasure to meet you as well, ma'am, and I am grateful for the invitation.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by James Hutchins

The emails are not automated, Miss Cookie sends each one personally and types them individually.

I shall endeavor to send my personal thanks then.

Originally Posted by James Hutchins

While I am glad to see you are back, what have you done for God and the Church? Life is not all about you.

And that is an excellent question. With COVID locking down most local churches, Sunday services have taken a turn for the surreal with pastors moving online, broadcasting their services. It's hard to get used to, especially the quiet in the background, but God willing, we'll enjoy the blessings of medical advancement and return to the good old fashioned praise and worship.


In the interim, I suppose the most I've done is endeavor to live by that old spiritual maxim, "They shall know we are Christians by our love." Have to live the example, and testify when the opportunity is right. A soul is too precious a thing to waste on account of timidity or pride. Other than that, I've been focusing on healing up this tongue so I can get back to singing hymns. Not satisfied just humming along.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by MitzaLizalor

We sat there until the boat came back but the wretched garments which were brand new seemed designed to disintegrate even as you wore them!! Rips appeared and threadbare bits pulled apart and if you tried to move another tear would appear somewhere especially since they were now wet.

That's an interesting discussion, how threadweights and fabrics these days are growing thinner and thinner, flimsier and flimsier, while the quality taking a huge dive. With labor being outsourced to the third world and prices rising while planned obsolescence ensures a steady stream of re-purchasing, Americans throw out 14 tons of clothing annually. Just goes to show you how much waste we're throwing our money away on.


And let's say you're one of the good ones who'll take the time and effort to repair and mend as apposed to consume and toss. Machines these days, across the board, whether you're talking homewares, treadmills, or automotive are all dumping quality metal pieces for cheap made-in-China plastics, so good luck keeping a sewing machine functional longer than 90 days.


Toss this salad with rising inflation, and you can start to feel a little worry on the back of your neck.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by Basilissa

God killing all of your family - only to eventually replace them with a whole new and improved family, of course:

I am grateful that familicide is one set of trials that God has not seen fit to try me with yet. Should that day come, well, there's no promise God's made yet he hasn't kept, and any expectation above and beyond the enumerated promises of the Lord are naught but wishful thinking.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by Mary Etheldreda

Anyway, I'm sorry you raised the LORD's hackles such that He chose to rebuke you for whatever sin you harbored, but I'm glad to see you've repented. Welcome back, dear.

I absolutely adore your signature block, ma'am. So much wisdom in such a succinct reference. It is an absolute delight to make your acquaintance.