Steven

[Fierce Critter]

(I sent this via PM, but I felt he deserved to receive this publicly.)

...for being the kind of Christian that gives Christianity a good name and reputation.

Thank you for having a tone that is never condemning nor patronizing.

Thank you for being able to get your point across without alienating people, and maybe actually getting those who might be diametrically opposed to what you believe to give serious thought to what you have to say.

Thank you for not being dissmissive and insulting of something you yourself might not totally understand.

Thank you for not investigating something you don't understand for the sole purpose of finding a reason to condemn it.

Thank you for not spewing bile that will only be taken to heart by people who already agree with you.

You know the saying, "Jesus save me from your followers?"

Jesus, thank you for followers like Steven.

[Msterbeau]

Word.

[Steven]

Thank you babe. this meant the world to me.

[The Rod]

i'm sure many will agree with me when i say that any post that Steven contributes to is certainly benefited by not only his knowledge but the way that he brings it across to people. You said it excellently Fierce Critter.

[torn asunder]

Word.

uh, huh...

[honeymustard02]

:woot: Love ya Steven!!!!

[Brenda Starrr]

Amen, FC. More people need to be like Steven.

[JaneDead]

Word.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i second that emotion

[Der Nister]

That's cool stuff.

[Fierce Critter]

Thank you babe.  this meant the world to me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're very welcome.

Not to make a blasphemous comparison, but I would have to imagine that Jesus spoke in a manner much like yours.

I'd like to think you'd make a hell of a motivational speaker/trainer for those in the business of speaking religiously. Particularly priests, reverends, pastors - all those who have to stand on a pulpit/altar etc and homilize (is that a word?). The days for fire & brimstone & judgment are past, I think. Your way feels like more of a return to the man who speaks softly yet moves millions.

Much more effective, methinks. I could be hardcore Wiccan and still enjoy hearing you speak.

[phee]

So um.... Steven....

Did you ever think of starting a cult? I mean.... I would make a good high priest.... and I can cook...

[Steven]

So um.... Steven....

Did you ever think of starting a cult? I mean.... I would make a good high priest.... and I can cook...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ok this one cracked me up.......

I dont really know how to answer all of this stuff but I thank you all and you have all blessed me many times over in many ways. I have learned a great deal here with you all over time.

But I'm just a guy. And I operate best that way. And I fuck up and I make mistakes and I'm just like any of you and i am feeling my way through this world the best way that I can and I'm not always successful but I always beleive that there is purpose to all things.

Even this here little community of spooky kids......perhaps we are here because we are supposed to be. I know that had I not stumbled into this Goth site last year quite by accident that I would have missed out on a great deal.

kinda makes you wonder.....

Steven

[torn asunder]

Even this here little community of spooky kids......perhaps we are here because we are supposed to be.  I know that had I not stumbled into this Goth site last year quite by accident that I would have missed out on a great deal. 

kinda makes you wonder.....

Steven

when the student is ready - the teacher appears...

[JaneDead]

  I know that had I not stumbled into this Goth site last year quite by accident that I would have missed out on a great deal. 

kinda makes you wonder.....

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

glad you found us. :grin

i, on the other hand, didn't stumble here.

i was forced here, by troy, at gun point.

this of course was back when he used to take hostages.

and then he made me force phee under my desk, where he still lives to this day. he also makes me do all the dishes and laundry.

and every friday night is pizza night if you didn't know that by now.

[Onyx]

And I fuck up and I make mistakes and I'm just like any of you and i am feeling my way through this world the best way that I can and I'm not always successful but I always beleive that there is purpose to all things.

Even this here little community of spooky kids......perhaps we are here because we are supposed to be.  I know that had I not stumbled into this Goth site last year quite by accident that I would have missed out on a great deal. 

kinda makes you wonder.....

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My mind *wants* to make sense of the world. I used to believe that everything happened for a reason and that everything was heading toward some grand purpose.

Sometimes I feel there is a sort of fate or destiny and some days I feel we make our own fate. Other days it seems all out of our control.

I still have days where it seems things fall into place and I feel in tune with the universe, but then a senseless death or violence happens and it all seems very random. Is the intelligence at the center of the universe asleep at the wheel or is there none there at all? Maybe it's just that I can not see the whole so the pieces don't make sense?

The conclusion I've come to is that I have to learn to live without answers.

[Steven]

My mind *wants* to make sense of the world.  I used to believe that everything happened for a reason and that everything was heading toward some grand purpose.

Sometimes I feel there is a sort of fate or destiny and some days I feel we make our own fate.  Other days it seems all out of our control.

I still have days where it seems things fall into place and I feel in tune with the universe, but then a senseless death or violence happens and it all seems very random.  Is the intelligence at the center of the universe asleep at the wheel or is there none there at all?  Maybe it's just that I can not see the whole so the pieces don't make sense?

The conclusion I've come to is that I have to learn to live without answers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I understand what your saying.

All I can offer you Onyx is that things have always been this way, we all feel them, are hurt by them, and are often changed by them. this includes me. I also think fate and destiny are two very real things, intertwined and dependent upon one another and feeding off of each other at the same time. We may very well also have the power to create....often by what we do or do not speak into existence, regardless of whether or not we understand that dynamic. If we are created in the image of God, a God who literally spoke the universe into being, then perhaps we too have inherited that ability, yet our flaws prevent our understanding it's true potential.

Strange as it seems, I see intelligence (some of it dark) in all of it, even in the chaos. But I'm alive. I have a voice. As do you. And as the world spins recklessly around me, I use everything i have - including my wounds - as far as my breath will carry me on that day. Sometimes it seems as if I've only moved a few inches. But other times much more ground is gained, and hopefully between the two is balance and a chance to rest.

Steven

[Draco1958]

It's people like Steven who remind me there are good people in this world. There are alot of nice people here but Steven's words always seem to hit home with me, bring me some comfort. Make me feel better about myself. Steven, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for being you. It is said that everyone in time will make an impression on mankind. Your time has come, it's your openess, heartfelt responses and inciteful common sense type of wisdom that opens peoples mind, eyes and soul. The world could use more people like you. I'm not pontificating you, just saying that your approach and honesty is much needed and I know that I have read your posts more than once just to learn something new about myself.

[Brenda Starrr]

So um.... Steven....

Did you ever think of starting a cult? I mean.... I would make a good high priest.... and I can cook...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, uhhhh......

I can be an altar chick.