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Mystery Shoelace's Blog

Marty said: Now i know this is going to saund borking and sad but im just wondering if anyone can help.

Basically its like im having a midlife crisis at 18 lol I just don't know where i am going in life.

I have 4 options for careers,

1. Continue at KFC being over worked and underpaid and you know lol

2. Continue to fail at my course which is rediculously hard and i just cant do.

3. Revive my acting carrer which is one of my biggest regrets

4. Join the RAF afterall and just leave all my troubles behind.

Now each have their own pros and cons. And dont forget the fact im getting married in less than 2years, which is the only thing i havnt ruined about my life.

I hope anyone can help :)

Thankyou Marty

my dads job

jesusislord(yay) said: hey wbw land, please can u pray that my dad will be able to find a new job hes being made redundant in october

thank you

Because it says so in the bible!

smileyfish said: Although I don't feel I have the authority to say whether or not it is sometimes ok to disobey what's said in the Bible, I do think I can safely say that if you're not sure whether doing something is ok then it's wisest not to do it. There may be consequences and reasons for not doing something that we simply cannot understand no matter how much we try to reason it out because we're human and can never fully understand God. This may even mean that we can never fully understand why some of his rules exist.

I think that if somebody begins to try and exempt him or herself from a particular rule in certain situations then he/she is on dangerous ground. Even if they feel they have a very good reason for it and other people agree with them, if they are not doing what the Bible says it may still be sinful. Of course we all sin, but that doesn't mean we should experiment with God's law.

If I could take your example Bebo of sex outside of marriage I would argue that even if two Christians had no other reason for waiting for marriage to have sex, it should be reason enough that (no matter what contraceptive might be used) there is always a chance of bringing a baby into the world.

Tithing

smileyfish said: Ooo, good debate.

I would say that tithing is very important and there are good reasons for it as Dave pointed out.

We should also be thinking a lot about how to use our money to help people in difficult situations or those less fortunate than us. This might range from our own family and friends to starving children in the developing world. God commands us to help the poor (charity being the word we use for this). I believe that this can be through actions like Bebo said and it will be pleasing to God when he sees us give up time and energy for 'good causes' such as the church, our friends or charities. However, I think we are all called to give money as well. We are the fortunate rich in this country and we cannot ignor those we could so easily help. I don't think I do this myself particularly well but I think we're all called to it.

I just read something about 'charity' in C.S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity' which is an awesome and very challenging book that I would recommend to everyone:

"In the passage where the New Testament says that everyone must work, it gives a reason 'in order that he may have something to give to those in need', Charity - giving to the poor - is an essential part of Christian morality: in the frightening parable of the sheep and the goats it seems to be the point at which everything turns...I do not believe anyone can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charities expenditure excludes them...For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear-fear of insecurity...sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help."

That rings true with me anyway. What do you guys think?

The parable he is refering to can be found in Matthew 25:31-46

The Blog For The Dave

SpyDave said: I'm wanting to hear what the exodus lot got up to in the last term and there plans for the new year

Oh that is a good idea I almost forgot about it. A good ol' fashioned Exodus meet is a must, even a social mebbe for a bit of funzies.

The Blog For The Dave

danny_d_b said: well there should be one or 2 more cells left right considering the school term is not over yet- and well I'm wanting to hear what the exodus lot got up to in the last term and there plans for the new year

Because it says so in the bible!

SpyDave said: for example it's easier to say that having sex outside of marriage is wrong rather than saying it's only wrong in some situations? Just like with smaller rules we set for ourselves "Don't drink because it's easier not to drink than to say don't get drunk" Or "Don't swear at all because it's easier than picking the words you can say."

I think that is the easiest way to but a set of rules. Consider yourself having to make them up, say these rules are normally wrong but in an extreme situation might be alright, you can't account for this so everything is wrong. And certain points can evolve through time as languages change and the language used in everyday life, like the swearing example, what was, now is not.

how can we weed the bad from good...
I think weeding good interpretation from bad all stems back to where it came from. The bible is the word of God and if you don't understand something an author has written why not ask them. Prayer is our direct communication with God as so we should be able to discuss what he has said before with him and ask for a modern equivalent or example of what he means what he wishes from us.

This whole discussion in my opinion can be brought back to something I got told a while back when I first started getting back into bible study it was something along the lines of... "This book will change your life by providing you with more questions than answers to the questions you seek."

Don't know if this helps much but I like it. More questions than answers means we can discuss and evolve as we seek answers to them.

Tithing

SpyDave said: I don't think we HAVE to tithe but the point is how does a church continue to run effectively without some money and help from those that wish to see it continue. If this comes from personal input ather than money then so it should be.

I personally don't tithe but give money when I have it and also help others as much as possible so I'm not just tithing to the church/clergy but to my friends and associates in not just monies but in helpful actions. Now this could just be considered part of my actions I should take as a christian?? Any thoughts on that.

I think that tithing from a student loan still counts as you are giving up 10% of the funds that you have to survive on like you would have if you earned the money through working, and you could count it cause you are working on your studies for the money, if you don't turn up or hit targets then you can get kicked out and lose that source of income.

The Blog For The Dave

SpyDave said: Not posted here in a while and I think I want to. It's nice to read what I have put previously and see how I've matured, e.g. what was I thinking when I put that etc. etc. and to read other peoples comments from when I've been down and such like. I am a little down at the moment but when you seem to be surrounded by death it's not good for one's physce (sp?)

Now the problem I have at the moment is I'm only going to be in Derby for 2 mebbe 3 weeks more and theres no CU till new term in september and I haven't settled into a church yet. Then when I do get back to Glossop things will stop running like cell cause it is summer break.

Now the point I was trying to make was anyone able to fill me in on what is happening over summer?? I'm also thinking of heading back to a church while I'm back in Glossop so keep your eyes on the door for me....

Just a few things...

SpyDave said: Well it's that time of year again. The mass exodus of students from their student abodes to their parent(s) or moving to new places or still continuing in the same place. However I digress...

I would like to offer up my thanks and prayers to all at this time, exams are either in progress or the results are coming through, certainly for me but others too.

Also its not been great the past year and a bit for me personally but I would like to thank friends for being there, and helping me through it.

Another point someone else will be better suited to enquire about is can we have a band get together and pla some music and possibly arrange a praise evening??

Stay Cool Peeps.
God Bless.

dan-b's 2nd blog

danny_d_b said: don't know if anyone read the last post, if not a quick message to say

Go READ THE LAST POST

Bold

Tithing

danny_d_b said: I personal don't tith due to the fact I don't have a constiant imput, but I always give a pound on the sunday to the collection so I feel like I'm giving something.

however being a small group leader I've oftern got to provide food for the small group as well which is another way of provinding in a christan sence, though I wouldn't see it a tith or ofering.

2010- anyone still here?

danny_d_b said: exerlant well then perhaps maybe putting something out to other members to let them know this isn't dead, becuase it would be cool to see it 'back from the dead' and I'm prepeared to go back to my mothly blogging if people are prepared to read it and possibly comment

Tithing

*Bebo* said: Tithe - A tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church.

Tithing - To contribute or pay a tenth part of (one's annual income).

I think it's safe to say we all agree we should tithe am I right? If not feel free to say why!!

What I want to know is, Do we HAVE to tithe money? If we think that our churches would benefit more from a tithe of out time is that not a better thing to give them?
Or even if giving 10% of your income is to easy and you would rather tithe something that was a challenge. Like the widow who gave all she had. If giving money id really easy and we do it because we think we should not really for God should we not look at giving something else?

This also applies to all you students out there! Could one really claim that giving away money from a loan is tithing? I know you pay it back but it's not really your money...

Because it says so in the bible!

AndyM103 said:

I always have some unhappy inner thoughts about this.

Not everyone can be right.
If we accept that everyone has the right to interpret the bible in their own way (more on this later) then we accept that will we end up with conflicting views. Example: group A think that homosexuality is acceptable, group B that it is wrong. Our interpretations will stem from our world view, our relationship with God, and our preferred translation.
But not everyone can be right, surely?
We don't have the right?
If we believe that we can make this kind of statement - then we believe that we can interpret the bible. Obviously there is good interpretation and bad interpretation - but how can we weed the bad from good... or more controversially, is it all acceptable if said for the right reasons?

2010- anyone still here?

AndyM103 said:

Hello all,
For a couple of reasons wbw hasn't been receiving the public attention recently that it deserves. I appreciate that for many of you this is disappointing, it is for me too.

There are a couple of reasons why nothing has been happening recently, some of these are acceptable, and some of them aren't really.

Firstly, wbw was very much a creation of its time. I started working on wbw when cell group in Hadfield was a very different group to what it is today, as such, much of what we discussed made its way onto the site and it provided a way for discussions to continue. As a result of the "core" of wbw posters moving to different universities and churches we often aren't involved in face to face discussions on important issues - the wbw that followed straight on from cell group on a Friday night can no longer work.

wbw has also fallen victim to my progressing knowledge of computing (and perfectionism). In the six months after I first released wbw we went through 4 versions, each an improvement on the last. wbw was something of a personal project on two fronts: the spiritual and the technical. Since then I have changed the way in which I work, and so have gone through a couple of false starts in providing a site that meets the needs I have of it, and that I think you might have of it too.

So what's being done about it?

If I believed that wbw was dead, you would not be reading this now. I still think that an open, friendly, useful, lively and God driven discussion forum is very much in need. However, much as I don't want to push any agenda or view, I realise that sometimes it's good for a debate to be prompted.

As ever, time and work and life have caught up with me, and so wbw hasn't been updated for a long time. That will change. I am working on a new wbw, so... if you have an idea for wbw, then email ideas>at

I've been told to say that: Jesus brought the dead back to life, and so surely Jesus-driven people can manage a website, at least!

Love in Christ,
Andrew

Because it says so in the bible!

*Bebo* said: OK this is a thread that could come across the wrong way if worded wrong so I may have to make clarification later.

Obviously I believe what I read in the bible is true, I understand the message that it's giving to us and you would think it's quite easy to see what's right and wrong from what has been written but I wonder,

Are some of the things that are written written the way they are to make it easier, for example it's easier to say that having sex outside of marriage is wrong rather than saying it's only wrong in some situations? Just like with smaller rules we set for ourselves "Don't drink because it's easier not to drink than to say don't get drunk" Or "Don't swear at all because it's easier than picking the words you can say."

What do people think? Is it sometimes OK for us to seemingly go against what the bible says even though after lots of thought and prayer it still seems like an OK thing to do?

2010- anyone still here?

SpyDave said: I check every so often and read through the discussions like the one on baptism. They're interesting normally.

I think it is useful to still to check others points of view you don't see all the time. While your in university or college or school CUs and groups it becomes the same thinking over and over where as if you find a question that you think others will find interesting I think it should be posted here for another point of view to address it.

Just my spare change, two pence or something like that.....

2010- anyone still here?

danny_d_b said: wow 2 replys is 5 months, well maybe not dead, but hanging on, I'm sorry if my message is insulting beccy but I'm very happy to put the effot if this is carrying on, I under stand andy is under a lot of strain (I'm also doing a Degree + small group leadership rember) and it was no way intended to insult him or the site (if I was annoyed at the site then why would I be top poster???) I've always thought WBW was a great tool and am happy to do everything I can to keep it going, however its not a one man job and we need other posters back and so if people are back and willing to do stuff then thats cool- however the descussion you brought up was done over 6 months ago, not exacly recent

however you also have to recognise when something has served it perpoes, and well as amazing as WBW has been, to me its run its corse

2010- anyone still here?

Sarah said: hello people! this is definitly NOT a dead site! it just needs a revival :)

2010- anyone still here?

*Bebo* said:
Some people are still around. I have wbw on my google homepage so I know when it's updated. Recently we had an interesting debate on baptism.
Please stop posting that wbw is a dead site if you don't think anyone reads it then it's a waste of time to post it and for me (one who does read it) it's starting to get a little annoying. Why not try starting a new discussion on something you've found interesting at CU or at a life group?

Andrew is working on wbw (alongside uni) so at some point in the future wbw will have a make over and hopefully we'll get some good discussions going again.

2010- anyone still here?

danny_d_b said: well its 2010, anyone still here, or is this a dead site?

dan-b's 2nd blog

danny_d_b said: I'm not sure if anyone is still here reading this, or if you have all gone, but I'll post it anyway, in the hope it will encourage/inform/effect someone, who I'm not sure who, might even just be me by typing up how I'm felling

over the last few weeks I've been really challenged by my uni CU, the people in it, and I've had some really deep emotional times, times of great joy, and times of great 'sadness'

it's not really sadness, but more times of looking back over my life and seeing how useless I was, how I failed in every aspect of my life, how I had no belief in my self, in the people around me, or in God.

I thought life consisted of me against the world, mates where there only for entertainment and laughs, not for bad times, time were I just to lock away my feelings, put on a fake smile, and go out in to the world trying to convince it and my self, that everything was o.k., but instead I felt alone, afraid and anxious. I thought nothing of my self but a useless waste of time, space and energy, I had no hope in anything, my life was nothing more than dragging my self from lesson to lesson, day to day, there was no promace of anything greater, just 'life' consisting of a pale existence, loneyness and death.

I felt like a was falling in to a deep dark hole, with no one holding the rope

Then I met Jesus

suddenly my life had a purpose, my life had meaning, my life haden't changed, all the old problems were there, just there was a different perspective of things. however now there was some one on the end of the other end, and he wasn't just holding me steady in this hole, he was dragging me of the dark deep deaths I'd fallen.

Jesus could of left me to fall deeper and deeper in to the pit, a pit of darkness, sadness and Death

however he grabbed hold of the rope and is dragging me out, bit by bit.

he had no need too, I've got nothing he wants, it would be probably easier to forget me and leave me.

but no

there has been times, I've tried to help, but that just slowed things down, there has been times where I have fought it, were something in the darkness calls out to me, and I'm tempted, trying to pull my self back down, trying to get the cheep temporary high it gives me

but all the way Jesus is dragging me out, and with out him I'd be nothing but a speck in a hole, with him I am everything

so as I said I've no idea if this is ment for me or someone else, I just hopes its a encouragement to someone

The Importance of Baptism

smileyfish said: Thank you, that's very helpful!

The Importance of Baptism

AndyM103 said: Woot!

Ahem.

As far as I understand the system of baptism within the Anglican church it is seen as an "outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible change". In other words, our baptism into faith publicly shows our commitment to that which we already believe. There are definitely areas in the bible where a line is drawn between the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Smileyfish noted one above, and this one I found in Acts 8:14 - 17

"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

This would seem to point towards a split between our declaration of faith and the point at which we are sent the Holy Spirit. However, there are also cases in the bible where the baptism of water and the baptism of the Spirit occurs before the baptism of water, in Acts 10:45-47 for example:

"The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.""

It would appear that baptism, both of water, and of the Holy Spirit can appear in either order. So which makes a true believer?

I don't think we can say that someone who has the Holy Spirit but has not been baptised is not a "true" Christian. Nor can we say that someone who has been baptised of their own choice does not believe - surely it is foolishness in the world's eyes?

On a different note:
I personally disagree with the concept of the vast majority of child baptisms. If the family have a genuine desire to bring their child up in the Christian faith then I see no problem with their dedication to God, and I know that I would happily dedicate my own children. In contrast I would disagree with children being baptised "because it's the done thing". We should not turn people away when they come for baptism, but we should also be truly honest in explaining what a life devoted to God means.

The Importance Of Baptism
Thinking over Philip's meeting with the Ethopian Eunuch I came to the following conclusions of the meaning of baptism:
1. Baptism shows our new commitment and faith in God.
2. Baptism is used to mark a new phase in our life.
3. Baptism is often the point at which we are called by God, and sent His Holy Spirit.
4. Baptism is used to welcome us into the Body of Christ.

But that does not mean that without baptism we are lost. Jesus himself teaches that the true baptism that comes from Him, isn't the baptism of water, but of the living water. As such, whilst baptism can represent our faith I would argue that many of us are truly baptised long before we're submerged (or in many churches - dripped).

The Importance of Baptism

*Bebo* said: In out church and I don't know if it's the same for all Anglican churches, but we have "Dedications" to replace baptism of infants if parents want to make it public that they will try their best to bring up the child in God's family. We do have infant baptism too but I think it tends to be people from outside the church who do them.

I don't feel like your missing out on anything but being baptised as a child and not as an adult. (btw the Anglican church don't make a habit of re baptising people lol, as far as I know it was just that once).

I guess then the question is - If you have chosen to be baptised as an adult do you need to be confirmed? -and also- Where does that leave some churches when it comes to communion?

In some ways it comes down to denomination too as I would say that in general confirmation could be an equivalent ceremony but only because in our church you have to be confirmed to take communion where as in other churches you don't, as far as I know Methodists see confirmation differently from Anglicans so I only needed to be baptised to take communion at the Methodist church and so if my parents had had me baptised as a child I might feel like I'd missed out. If you don't then hey! I'm not gonna tell you you should, but I think that's how I'd feel.

The Importance of Baptism

smileyfish said: I agree that the baptism in the spirit can (and often does) happen before the baptism of water, at least as an adult. I think you become a member of God's family when you make the decision to change your life in your heart and God knows that. Making it public is good, but not essential to being a Christian.

That's why (in my opinion) baptism is supposed to represent a grave - they dip you into the water to represent your old life being washed away and you rise out of it, representing your rebirth - but it isn't all magical and instananeous - you have to change your life yourself - the way you think and talk and act, if you're truely going to follow Jesus. With his help of course.

I was baptised as a child and because I've grown up mainly in a Methodist church, I won't be baptised again (Methodists only baptise the adult if he or she wasn't baptised as a baby - they don't do it twice). Instead, for my puplic declaration of faith, I became a member of the church (a bit like confirmation).

I asked my parents about this, and they said that they baptised me as a baby because they wanted to show that they were dedicating me to God and that they wanted to bring me up in His love. It was a symbolic act to show the church and their friends that they would try their best to raise me as God wanted.

I'm happy with that, and don't feel that I need to get baptised again, however I know that some people would disagree - like this guy at CU - and say that I should make the decision on my own now I'm old enough.

Do you think there's anything I might be missing out on by not getting baptised as an adult? Or would you say that my 'confirmation' was an equivalent ceremony?

The Importance of Baptism

*Bebo* said: I very much disagree with infant baptism, there was a guy in our church who had his children baptised and when they grew up they were a bit miffed and had it done again because they didn't feel like they had made the - as you say - public deceleration. No one can ask for the forgiveness of sin for someone else.
I was discussing this with Andrews nan last time I was in Newcastle and we both agreed that if you get someone baptised it's like asking for forgivness for there sins.

In reply to the first point about not receiving gifts and stuff until after the baptism of water personally I disagree but I suppose for some people it might feel like that is the case. They might feel like you don't deserve to receive anything before you make a public deceleration (Although I'm not sure if I could find anything biblical to back up their view). You make the decision to be a Christian before baptism and if you have to go through classes then you are growing in faith and in the spirit before baptism of the water, when i was at N:Able for the first time I felt like the spirit was with me but I wasn't baptised. This is why I feel that you get the baptism of the spirit when you are truly ready to make a commitment. God knows better than you do!

The Importance of Baptism

smileyfish said: Hello everyone! WBW's been pretty quiet recently, but I've got an interesting topic that I don't think we've discussed before.

At our CU we've been looking at Romans and there's been some interesting debate about baptism. Romans 6:1-4 says:

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

One guy who got baptised a few months ago thinks that it is only after the baptism of water (that usually happens in a church) that we can be fully a part of God's family and start to receive spiritual gifts etc. He thinks that there are certain things that we can't do without this baptism e.g. there are some sins we can't really fight.

In Mark 1:7-8 John the Baptist makes a clear distinction between two different types of baptism:

"And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.""

I reckon that it's ater the baptism of the spirit that we are able to receive spiritual gifts/call ourselves truely part of the Body of Christ etc. and that baptism with water is a public declaration that this inward change has taken place - it's symbolic.

The issue of whether infant baptism (when parents choose to get their baby baptised) is right or not also came up.

What do you guys think?

dan-b's 2nd blog

danny_d_b said: my apoglogys blog readers for the distinct lack of posting over the last few months, what with one thing or enough there just hasn't been much to talk about

hopefully that will change with me being at uni

speacking of which, I've been very busy with freshers this week with lots of stuff going on inculing a test (Darn food hygeen) queing up for 45 mins to get in to the freshers fair, and sighninig up for various sociatys (UoHCU, the uni cricket team e.c.t)

other than that I still haven't explored all of huddesfield yet, I've coverd most of it, and hope to be trying out my 1st new church on sunday, though I have to get a 25 min bus in to town then walk for 20mins!!!

other than that everything is going well, hopefully I've got everything now, spent most of the last few weeks heading backwords and forwards picking up stuff I 'forgot about'- so a bit of advice, get yourself a cake tin, cas no one will have one and everyone loves cake!!

my flat mates by the way are all great fun, though being in an all male flat does mean there is a LOT of mess, thougn now we have some 'rules' in place it shouldn't be much of a problem. all the guys are a great laugh and are all slightly crazy in there own way, especialy after a idea of karyoke/pool tordement (e.g. if you lost you had to sing the winners choise of song!)

already missing cell, though should be back next week as a one off due to a dentist apointment. other than that I hope everyone, where ever they are, is doing great and enjoying life to the full!!

other than that the only thing I can say is this

have your self some chesse to eat

if you ask why then you don't know me very well!!