byrdhouse

My advice would be to find a niche market, do something a little different than what everyone else is doing and then provide exceptional service. And I do mean, "exceptional"!--people demand more these days. I would also suggest starting out small and really get to know your competition ahead of time. I chose window cleaning because even though there is some competition there is just way too many windows for everyone in this business to get to. It also helps me pick and choose what business I want ('cause I know that there are zillions of other business or residential windows that I can do). Anyway, relating to computer technology, I think the trend nowadays is in teaching. Teaching classes on various software programs, operating systems, how to build pc's, web design construction, etc. People want to know how their little boxes work and the various software/programs that make them work. And the last advice and I think the most important is to get into something that you would really enjoy --LIFE IS WAY TOO SHORT!!! I hope this helps... Peace, Byrdhouse

Oh, I thought it was some kind of laxative, to keep you regular...my bad! (sorry, I just couldn't help myself)Take Care,Byrdhouse

Amby,Interesting, but I don't know where you were heading with your prose. reading the replies I can see how people could be offended or pleased. Personally, I'll leave it up to God on this one. I can't fight every battle and I can find humor in my own beliefs/religion. Thank you for posting just the same...that's what we are here for...Take Care,Byrdhouse

Spawn, I agree with your title but I thought you were going in a different direction than what was written. I am a christian but I think that religion does get in the way of faith. If you are "religious", whether you're a christian, muslim, etc. then you could get lost in following a program of ritual and form. I believe that Jesus came to reconcile our relationship with God, not to initially begin a religion. Now, please understand I believe in what we call "corporate worship" and gathering together. The Bible encourages this. And I think, at least in the protestant circles, that ritual and sacredness should be explored and applied more because when we pray or come together we believe that we are in the very presence of God. One thing you said that I don't agree with is the idea that people should not try to convert other people to their beliefs/religion. As far as christians go the Bible specifically states that we are commissioned by Jesus/God to do this. (reference: Matthew 28:18-20, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'") And I can speak from personal experience that if my parents (mostly my mother) didn't instill Godly principles in me and later on nurtured by other christians friends, influences etc. who knows where I'd be. The whole notion that we should not project some of our ideas/beliefs is unsettling for me because we are a by-product of many ideas/beliefs set out by our culture. And most of the time the world's influences are pale compared to christian values so why exclude christianity and tag onto destructive ways in our society. We do not live in a vacuum...even being an atheist was at least partly constructed from things outside of yourself, that influenced you. With regards to the woman, I think you did whatt every christian is called to do...lay down your life for another. The Bible confirms this: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. So, I am very proud of you for such an act and despite her response of ingratitude I commend you for doing the right thing. It's what Jesus did for all of us and so even God uses atheists to make a difference.I didn't write this to set you off or produce a negative tone, but I believe in what I've said and just wanted to express my ideas.Take Care,Byrdhouse

At times when the world is kind of falling apart I tell myself, :This too will pass." It seems to remind me that things are temporary. I also think about challenges I've had in the past and how I navigated through them, what I've learned and what nbenefits I've received. Our trials have purpose and they usually help us grow stronger as a person to face even bigger challenges. I know this advice does not take away the real problem but maybe it will put it in a different light...present a new perspective. I encourage you to never quit on life and embrace its necessary heartaches.Take Care,Byrdhouse

Swank, thanks for your comments, unfortunately I'll have to address them when I have more time, ok? Take Care, Byrdhouse

All I can say is THANK YOU for your comments and AMEN! Byrdhouse

Amby, Looking at the responses to your post I can see that most people agree with your general thoughts thus bringing me to the conclusion that those who responded are mostly liberal in thought. Well, I feel as a Christian that it is my duty to focus not on liberal or conservative thinking but to focus on God's Word and yes that means drawing from the "B" word (the Bible). I don't have time to get into the authenticity of the bible and that could be more addressed at a later time in a different forum. I want to stay on subject. Before I really begin though I want to first of all thank you for bringing up this subject. Although we have very different views I appreciate a good rousing of debate on the tough subjects that are out there instead of hibernating in our comfort zones most of the time. To me, God is real, relevant in our world, and that Christians need to tackle these issues...grow a backbone if you will. Second, I don't claim to be a Bible scholar, but I have studied the bible for quite some time and believe in its authenticity no matter where we are spiritually. Thirdly, I don't expect to be popular by expressing/holding the following views. In fact I expect a lot of criticism and maybe hatred, but God's Word states that this will happen...Jesus is the greatest example of this and went to His death for the truth. With all that said, let's begin. In Genesis 1:27-28, it states, "So God created man [plural for man and woman] in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." And it continues in verse 31..."God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day." Now, if "it was very good" for males to be in union (marriage or personally intimate loving relationships) with males or women to be in union with women, don't you think that God would have expressed this in the beginning of creation? It would have been written..."males (with other males) be fruitful and increase in number; fill and subdue it"...(and the same would apply to females.) But THIS IS NOT WHAT IS WRITTEN! And when you read further in chapter 2 verses 18-24 God saw that Adam needed a "suitable helper", a soulmate if you will, that nothing else could substitute or take the place of except EVE, a woman! She was taken from Adam's rib, not another man, boy, animal, vegetable or mineral. And God further puts an exclamation point on their relationship and states in verses 23 and 24..."For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." Is this thought homophobic or bashing the gay lifestyle? No, I am only reporting what our Creator has already established in His divine plan of life for us. He set the stage, we have problems wanting to accept it and this is what the bible labels as "sin", turning against and not obeying God's law. You know, I'm human just like you and my propensity is to rebel, but as I get older I realize that God is a loving God but he is also a just God who will generally not allow sin to dominate our lives and will allow negative consequences and punishment to follow. (I say generally because it states in the bible that He allowed those in total rebellion to be turned over to a reprobate mind.) Globally, this was the case with the flood. Although it doesn't speak of homosexuality specifically (which doesn't say that it wasn't prevalent) it does state in Genesis 6:5-6, "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every incliniation of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all of the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." Did you catch that? It grieves God when we sin! Why?...because he loves us so much! To bring it home, homosexuality (and any sin for that matter) is not just a personal (It's my own life), political, social, cultural, physical etc. matter. It adds to a wedge that creates a huge rift in our relationship with God. Again, it is not only rebellion but it is extremely grieving for God. God continues mapping out how we are to behave sexually in Leviticus Chapter 18 which corners the "justification" that people have about having a sex feast or union with every living creature out there in the name of "love". And Specifically in Chapter 18, verse 22, God clearly states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." It doesn't say "you probably should not" or this is a suggestion, but "do not..." For those out there that say, Oh but that is the old law, that's the ancient language, we are in the New Testament, the New Church." Let me point out what the apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote in Romans 1:26-27: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." And I could recite other thoughts but I'll just leave you with these chapters and verses to look into further: Romans 1:18-32, 1Corinthians 6 (one part specifically states that homosexual offenders will not inherit the kingdom of God), 2 Peter 2:10, Jude 1:7-8. Globally, at this point, I could probably go on to discuss what led up to Sodom and Gomorrah's demise. But I think that you are getting the picture. A little sideline though--Sodom and Gomorrah weren't only into homesexuality and prostitution as most believe. The people were involved in witchcraft, idol worship, and all kinds of wickedness. So these towns weren't wiped out just for sexual promiscuousness or homosexuality. They were extinguished because they were into everything that was not of God. Are we heading in the same direction as a nation, a world, because we are becoming more tolerant of sin or rebellion against God's divine plan? If you read the bible and understand its relevance in how God wants us to conduct our lives this subject, other than having minor interpretations, shouldn't even be debated, questioned, or practiced in our lives. If this sounds like "holier- than-thou" thinking and preaching it's not meant to be. As stated earlier, I'm human. I make mistakes and sin just like everyone else and I wish I could say that I've got it all together, but this is not the case. I am called to love others no matter where they are, how they think, what they believe, and whether I agree with them or not. I am not the judge, jury or the accuser. These roles belong to the supernatural forces at work above and will be called forward in the end. I think I've said my peace and I truly wish everyone well no matter where we stand, Take Care and God Bless, Byrdhouse

On a lighter side of this serious subject I had a friend (male) who would get into chat rooms and start conversations with people and pretend that he was a girl. (He considered it a game to see how gullible some people (especially men) could be.) I think he used "Dancing Veils" as a pseudonym and you won't believe how many guys wanted to get more information about my friend. Anticipating that someone was going to ask him what he/she looked like my friend went to Walmart or Kmart and got a frame with a picture in it. He would describe himself with the same description as the picture and then if someone asked him for a photograph he would sent it to them. If it got to where he thought it might get risky he would cut off any ties (via the computer) with that person. He never revealed who he was and he loved every minute of it...is he sick or what?Actually he was quite normal except he said that he loved a book that told you how to kill someone in a thousand different ways...and guess what profession he was in...teaching! Take Care,"Dancing Veal"

"The idea that we have achieved the peak of human civilization and got everything under control is an illusion." I agree with this statement. As technology and advancement has grown at break-neck speed we have created a false sense of security and rely on technology to govern our lives. Please understand, technology is neither good nor bad but applied technology can either be good or bad for a society. Often times we have allowed arrogance to germinate as we progress and this is what will determine the fall of a nation. I personally believe in biblical prophesy and that God will not allow any nations to exist for too long if it rebels against him. (references: nations before the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Rome, Babylon, and even believes in spanking His chosen nation Israel.) It's interesting to me how technology can make our lives more manageable but then create more work for us in maintaining that manageability. Just some thoughts to chew, Technologically yours, I, Robot

I used to be Catholic and I remember the good ol' days of Lent. We used to try to give up something for forty days and not eat meat on Fridays also (I'd usually eat fish instead). We also designated giving away something or did special things over Lent. In other words, we may take care of a need for a relative or give money to a charity which would also be considered giving up our time or money to help others. I remember always having a problem with fasting because I would often get headaches if I didn't eat on a regular basis . I think the real problem was that I just loved food too much and didn't have the desire to want to give it up . I'm not a Catholic anymore so I don't observe lent or hold onto the Catholic traditions. I do consider myself a fellow Christian however and take into account fasting as one method of denying selfish tendencies and focusing on God more. Take Care,Byrdhouse

Thank you for sharing these, they are truly funny. As a Christian I think it's good to laugh at ourselves sometimes, especially if we make silly mistakes. Thanks again,Byrdhouse

Zentron,Please carefully read the reply above that I wrote to Dodger and I think you'll get my thoughts on this subject. God's Peace, Byrdhouse

Dodger,As a Christian I'm very offended with this topic that you've chosen. I can respect that you have your own opinion and that you have the right to post this topic, but I think that it insults my belief and slanders Christians in general. While I agree that we are to control our attitudes, speech and opinions, we are human as well...therefore we will make mistakes. And to explain B. above, all of us are/were born into sin (called original sin per Adam and Eve) and our only redemption to be with God is through his son, Jesus Christ. Listen, I was "dragged" to church when I was young by my mother and although I didn't like going to church every Sunday (Catholic) I thank my mother for her faith and willingness to obey God and "instruct me in the ways I should go." I am a better person, Christian, husband and father because of her influence. My goal in writing this is not to offend you or be overly "preachy", but if this is the case then so be it...Jesus wasn't liked by everyone and so I don't expect to be as well. I don't consider you my enemy and I don't wish to have any animosity between us... Please make wiser choices in selecting future topics. Thank You, God's peace to you, Byrdhouse

Well done, Caveman...we're very proud of you! I guess a pursuit in the dentistry field is definitely out of the question for you, huh? Take care of those choppers....The Tooth Fairy