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=> General Discussions => Topic started by: hillsbororiver on August 02, 2007, 05:22:56 PM

Title: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: hillsbororiver on August 02, 2007, 05:22:56 PM
There is a neighborhood watch group that also arranges and sponsors social functions, pot luck dinners, glee clubs, and a host of other activities. The primary purpose though is said to be for the fulfilment of a better life for those who become members, there are financial, health and safety classes available for all the people in neighborhood who are dues paying members.

This group was actually named after your very own Grandfather who was the founder, he was a very good parent, grandparent and a friend to just about anyone who came across his path. He founded the Association because he believed it would enhance the lives of the people he held dear, bringing many from the neighborhood together once a week for current events and trends within the neighborhood and fostering a family type atmosphere for all who actively participated. He would let new folks who moved into the neighborhood know what the group was all about and invite them to join. He was a very genuine and likable man and most who came in contact with him wanted to be a part of his organization.

It had been 20 or so years since your Grandfather passed away but the group still kept his name prominent and even used it in membership drives and special fund raising events and in all meetings. His generous nature was always brought up and his self sacrifice in founding and keeping the Association viable was mentioned at every gathering.

Over the years as the Association grew larger and the projects and goals became more and more ambitious they would invoke your Grandfather's name and say how either happy he would be with one result or another or speak for him saying what displeasure he took in the lack of funding some of the members provided for what the new leaders presented as being of extreme importance. When this did not get the desired results they would say that your Grandfather would have been insanely angry, and although he was normally a good natured man you did not want to get on his bad side as he used to severely punish members who were not pulling their weight. As a matter of fact he was known to burn down the houses (with the people inside) if certain commitments were not made. Besides burning people alive they also claimed he had tied up people in his basement who were in his disfavor, torturing and beating them to within an inch of their life before he would stop to give them enough food, drink and rest to sustain them for another day and another round of beatings.

You could feel the tears welling up in your eyes as this was being spoken but there was more.....

Once you got on his bad side there was no getting back into the good graces of your Grandfather they claimed, sure he was kind, loving, compassionate and a great neighbor but there was no one in the history of the world who could dish it out, hold a grudge and get revenge quite like him.

What? Who is he talking about? You sat through this and could not believe your ears, you knew your Grandfather your entire life until the day he died, the reason you had moved back to this neighborhood was because of all the pleasant memories of him and the neighborhood, the Neighborhood Association he founded was like an extended family. Yes, the building and the choir, the gym and all the social services now available were not there when you were growing up but the camaraderie that we had shared back then was so very evident.

Hearing these things about your Grandfather had shocked you into silence for a few minutes, you knew it was not true, you knew this man your whole life!

After the meeting ended you approached the speaker and told him how upset and angry you were about the things he said, he replied that "they were doing much more good than your Grandfather had ever done, look at this building, look at all the members and the activities they enjoy, the neighborhood has more than it ever had."

As far as that went he was right but you were still extremely upset at how he was portraying the kindest, most gentle man you had ever known as some vengeful, unforgiving ogre, when you confronted him with that truthful observation he said; "You know most of the people who belong here never really knew him, they take my word for it and no one really seems to mind, they contribute the money it takes to keep this the best Neighborhood Association ever and volunteer for all the special events we schedule. Look, your Grandfather is an icon here!"

"I see you have 3 teenagers, why don't you bring them tonight for the Youth Pool Bash, there are plenty of great young people who belong to our Association that would love to meet them, we are even having a pot luck dinner and some activities for us older folks! C'mon lighten up, can't you see this is really working fantastic?"

Would you go back?   
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Jackie Lee on August 02, 2007, 05:55:58 PM
I would never go to the Catholic or protestant church again, they all are very similar.
False doctrine and Pot Luck dinners to raise money for building fund...etc.
You are talking of the church aren't you? :-\
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: YellowStone on August 02, 2007, 07:06:33 PM
Joe my dear brother and friend,

What a wonderful peice of writing. Is this not how we all should feel regarding our God and Father.

Yet I am complelled to throw something in to the pot that I think needs to be discussed. :)

Now please know that I am not on the 'free-will' bandwagon. Yet if one should consider all of the verses below and assume from them that "everything" is purposed and willed by God, then those in your anaology, for all their reasoning and justification, were bound by Gods will as surely as a train is bound by its track. In short, they were not "free" to step aside from God's purpose.

Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  

Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?   

Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

Ecc 10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?   

With all this taken into consideration, then the only answer to your question concerning: Would you go back?

Is totally dependant on God, because the choice to either or not go back is not up to anyone to make.

I of course do not believe that this is the case. I believe that I am free to decide for myself, I believe God has given us hearts and minds that can rationalize any situation and determine the best (each person is different and unique) course of action for oneself. I believe we are free to do this all on our own. BUT!!!!!! This does not mean that God does not know what we will decide. God knows everything, why then would He need to 'control' everything.

So in answer to your question again: Would you go back? Is totally dependant on where one is located on the path of thruth that each one of us is walking.

God knows who will go back and who is strong enough to see the hypocrisy for what it is, because it is He who has been shedding little rays of truth to whom he pleases.

I think this fits very well with Christ's own words: And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? No matter how hard or dillengently one searchs for truth, one will not progress to meatier matters until God decides.

I hope this fits with your reasoning.

Great post!! Joe

Darren
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Jackie Lee on August 02, 2007, 09:00:31 PM
Wow did I miss the mark here I certainly need to reread. :-[
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Kat on August 02, 2007, 10:06:11 PM


This is from the Jan. Bible study notes, 'free will is an oxymoron.'

Choose - To select from a number of possible alternatives. (The American Heritage College Dic.)

Nothing here suggest freedom of the will.
I now have found a scientist who made the same analogy that I do.
"If by free will we mean the ability to choose, even a simple laptop computer has some kind of free will," says Seth Lloyd, an expert on quantum computng and professor of mechanical engineering at the Mass. Institute of Technology.
Animals make choices.  My cats make a choices between eating and not eating, coming and not coming, selecting beween toys, etc.  Do my cats have 'free moral agency?'
Excuse me, we all make millions of choices, what we prefer.  Eve made a choice, I FULLY AGREE!

Causation - Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to law; Chance is but a name for law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law.
The principle of cause and effect-embodiesthe truth that Law prevades the Universe; that nothing happens by chance, that Chance is merely a term indicating cause existing, but not recognized or preceived.  That phenomena iscontinuous and without break or exception.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat



Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Patrick on August 03, 2007, 12:09:30 AM
My first thought was, where is the grandmother/dad/mom and do they know what's going on? They were not mentioned, so I'll base the answer on I'm the only immediate family left. My Papa was a very respected man. Always helping the community, even when things were tough around the ranch and I spent lots of time (61'-70') hanging out with him and my Nana because my dad/mom were very busy working.
One of the most difficult times in my life was when my Nana died and I watched my Papa just give up. He had no desire to live anymore without my grandmother at his side.
Sorry folks, but this story just brought up some memories I have not had in a long time.

Would I go back?
(I can only imagine) I'm not sure I would have left without a police escort out of the building. Then, I most likely would not be allowed anywhere near the place ever again.
I'd be looking for/needing a lawyer.
Yes, I have anger issues about some things (talking smack about my Papa would be one), and I'm afraid this one would put me close, if not over, the edge.
I'm not a physical force kind of person, never have, but my mouth gets me in all kinds of trouble. :-[
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: gmik on August 03, 2007, 01:13:36 AM
Jackie I had to re read it too.


No, most certainly, I would NOT go back.
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: hillsbororiver on August 03, 2007, 10:52:12 AM
Some very interesting responses, thanks to all.

I think you are getting my point for posting this topic, we could substitute Grandfather for Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, spouse, child, dear friend, etc. (But there is even a much bigger substitute we could mention)

Would you fellowship or meet regularly with a person or people who constantly and consistantly made untrue and disparaging comments about any of your loved ones?

His Peace and Wisdom to you,

Joe
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Sue Creamer on August 03, 2007, 02:22:26 PM
Joe,

I know I would not meet consistently with those who would verbally abuse my loved ones, but just because I would stay away from their fellowship is not an excuse to stop caring about them and praying for God's will or intervention in their lives.  When God is ready to show them the error of their ways, it will be done.       

Sue Ann

Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: hillsbororiver on August 03, 2007, 05:28:06 PM

Would you fellowship or meet regularly with a person or people who constantly and consistently made untrue and disparaging comments about any of your loved ones?


What if that Person being spoken of disparagingly was our Lord Jesus Christ?

His Peace to you,

Joe
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Harryfeat on August 03, 2007, 06:17:59 PM
Hey Joe,

It was a wonderful discourse on how things have gone radically wrong.

I would have spoken up during the meeting and asked who in the auditorium actually knew my grandfather and then asked those who responded whether they agreed with the harsh things said about him.  If they said yes, I would say they didn't really remember him properly, and here is the man I remember. 

If it were Christ they were talking about, I would be very very old. ;D

feat
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: hillsbororiver on August 03, 2007, 06:23:59 PM
LOL!

And since He did not have earthly children somebody was lying to you!  ;)

Good one feat!

Joe

P.S. His children are in Spirit
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Harryfeat on August 03, 2007, 06:35:13 PM
Hey Joe,

Hahaha!  I didn't mean to even imply any familial relationship.  However, it wouldn't be the first time I was called the bast word. :D

His children in spirit always.

feat
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: hillsbororiver on August 04, 2007, 10:00:29 AM

You are talking of the church aren't you? :-\


I sure am Jackie Lee, you nailed it!

His Peace to you,

Joe
Title: Re: Neighborhood Watch/Activist Association
Post by: Jackie Lee on August 04, 2007, 09:55:44 PM
Thanks Gena and Joe I was thinking oh I embarrassed myself again.
I am glad I understood afterall. ;D