True!

Hey Kelsey, not sure what you are talking about. Could you elaborate? :)

Ha ha! Yes. That is my mascot, "Digger". He even has his own facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/digger.diggenstein If you are on Facebook, hook up with him, he's cooler than me. ;)

I for one loved watching your beautiful mug on the screen.

hai daddy!!! :D

I once said "Everyone loves a hero who faces adversity, but no one wants to be one". It's a tough job. I agree with you on the growth and the connecting with others aspect. Isn't that the reason Jesus came? To be like us?

One of my most treasured memories, was the day my wife was admitted to the hospital when her organs were failing. I was sitting in the ICU waiting room, I had been up all night and had no clue what the heck was going on. I was sitting there all by myself when my pastor walked in. I barely knew him, we had just started going to the church a few weeks before. But I knew about him. I knew he had a son that had drowned (and survived with some brain damage). I knew he had walked in my shoes. I knew that God had sent him there first, because I could identify with him. That helped comfort me in that time. Thank God fro his love and wisdom. Especially in making my wife suffer with me just a little longer. :P

I seem to be encountering more and more universalist in my walk. Some we have talked about before. For most of them, it is purely an emotional issue that they can not support with doctrine (or verses). There are a few that have great arguments twisted through misreading the gospel. I understand some of the back lash against "fire and brimstone" messages and turn or burn theology that some people have slammed unbelievers with. I'm guilty of it myself. I will say tho, that the thought of hell is what brought me to salvation. I compare it to disciplining a child. There are some that love and a reward work for, and there are others that need punishment. The key is to recognize what people need. A hurting person needs love, an arrogant person needs rebuke. I also feel that I see more and more people talk about the love of Jesus, and seem to forget about the judgment of God. The modern church seems to be getting too wrapped up in emotions instead of the truth.

On a side note (not to derail this discussion), what are your thoughts on being judged by the "light we receive"?

I've worked behind a counter on many occasions and have relatively good experiences with customers. Sometimes it may depend on the store, like the last one I worked at was a book store, and most of the customers are laid back.

The one thing that does amaze me though, is when I am standing in line that is maybe 3 or 4 people deep, and listen to the customers sigh, moan and groan. My mind wanders to those places where waiting is the norm, and I think "what? is it really this bad? 10 minutes in a line to buy unneeded luxury items and you are getting upset?" I just don't understand that mentality of people.