> Now if you'll excuse me I have to return to the real world. Now if you'll excuse me I have to return to the real world. Now if you'll excuse me I have to return to the real world.

I've come to the same conclusion Dale, but probably for somewhat different reasons.

Be well all,

and,

the best escape hatch I can recommend for the approaching calamities,

is believing on Jesus Christ.

You're all familiar with John 3:16 if you've watched American football, well here's how it reads:

16* For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

> Seems like a simple straightforward formula, y'know...? Seems like a simple straightforward formula, y'know...? Seems like a simple straightforward formula, y'know...?

Verse 18 is part of that same paragraph that concludes at verse 21 where Jesus is the speaker also:

18* He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, <<< already?!? because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The last verse in the chapter is as follows:

36* He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. <<< already?!?

I encourage you all to carefully consider those first 21 verses of John chapter 3 where Jesus is the speaker. It's meant as a friendly suggestion due to the eternal ramifications. Like gravity or burning ones hand on the stove, there are spiritual laws that will apply later despite looking the other way presently. As Bob Dylan once wrote, Gotta Serve Somebody. Ivan Neville would add, we'll all meet up with the truth someday, face to face.

And finally, in reply to Edlorah's question in the quote section(not that it will matter but duty calls):

Col 8* Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, <<< right there Ed after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. <<< right there Ed

1Ti 6:20* O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: <<< woew 21* Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. <>

1Co 3:18* Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1Co 3:19* For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. <<< right there Ed For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. <<< right there Ed

Job 5:13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. Lu 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Eph 4:14* That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; <<< right there Sir, gotta watch that craftiness.

Jer 8:9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; <<< there's you Ed and what wisdom is in them? <<< right there Ed

Eph 2: 1* ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2* Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: <<<< there is/was me Ed 3* Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ro 1:21* Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. <<< God does this to men who purposefully ignore him Ed. And people think God isn't active in the affairs of men; when He's been giving us what we want all along, don'tcha think.

Ro 1:22* Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, <<< Ed, what say ye to God, not me, they're not my words sir?

1Co 1:19* For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1Co 1:20* Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? <<< What do ya think Ed? 1Co 1:21* For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. <<< what pleased God 1Co 1:22* For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Co 1:23* But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; <<< Isn't that's you Ed. Of course it is, you consider the scripture foolishness, be honest now!-)

Heb 13:9* Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; <<< not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Now...most of you will take this to be mean spirited on my part. But just remember, IF, if the scripture is true, AND IF, God has preserved His words as He claims to have, each of you who read this will have a chance to talk it over with Jesus, face to face one day. AND IF, if the scripture is true, as I've bet my eternal soul on(the 1st law: conservation applies here) then He, Jesus, when He greets you at the end of this present time(Rev 21, 22), will remind you that some uppity asshole(s) warned you of the His truth, whereupon He will send you on your way to destination of your choice. As the old saw goes, inaction is a choice too. Thus we have passive agressives.

And btw, I don't dislike Ed, seems an interesting sort actually, this is merely my reply from God's word to a remark Ed made to me which comes up periodically. I might have forgotten about it otherwise. Nah!-)

Just a side note, Jeremy Rifkins book Entropy was an interesting read. It's an older book, 15-20 years I think(1981 actually), but I suspect it holds up as it deals with the dynamics of human affairs. Certainly was interesting conceptionally. Maybe I should reread it.

til we meet again, or not

you'll all be in my prayers,

Will.

PS Beware of Wilburtine. (I was never he, just his long time former friend. a good one too. right Wilburtine. I find one of his quotes particularly ironic given how it ended with us. you can blame him for my coming to this or any ISland :)

PSS Oh and Dan, except that is loads terribly slow, I do like the format(software) you chose better than most I've been to since. It has a friendlier feel, shich too is probably accounted for somewhat by the manageable number(thus more personal) of participants.

Thank you for your kindnesses