_{Greetings Mike, you mentioned those 28 copys of the bible, yes there is such books, but those are copys of the originals, in the 2nd century the originals were burned up in a fire that was set on purpose, i can tell you who but then it would cause a stir here, however the lost scriptures of those as you mentioned some of those are written in the Dead sea Scrolls which was found sometime in the early 80s, you should find a copy in your local library. They have similaritys in which the TORA is explained many centurys ago. About our Christians today, some of my fellow brothers and sisters in the European countrys have to find hiding places still to this day to have bible talks , its a shame as i see it really happening as in your own family, my family says whatever make you happy Tom, there catholic, i can remember going to catholic school, going through the motions, im not ashamed of those times it just made me see more clearly at an older age of what God really wants in my life.  Have in mind though rabbi Jesus wants you to have a fellowship with fellow believers and in remembrance of Him dying on the cross and being raised again on the 3rd day to our glory we must recognize that by taking communion with that memory to worship His sacrifice for us.}

_{Dear Shirley, i want to thank you for sharing, when were small children we have to obey and like today in God's eyes we still are those small children, he like parents show me my faults and my victorys each day of my existanst as you can tell, i to can tell that you have the exact same faith, doesnt matter what religion, its you that has to search that out for yourselves to find what the truth really is. Faith comes in all sizes, measures and colors :) The Ten Commandments were put there for us to examin for ourselves nowadays, they are written Laws under Moses that came from God, since the death of rabbi Jesus we are no longer under Moses law but we must have reverance to those laws much like the laws of the land, if we dont obey them we would be in trouble.}

_{Thank you Nick, he sure is, he also helps us when we allow him to be that light more than anyone in the world, its a hard road at times but he is strong when we are weak. :) God_bless you brother :)}

Hi Mike,

I agree, one does not have to be sitting in the church pew on a weekly basis
to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.  I think I have done better
since I moved away from this as I can fellowship with people from all over the
world who are like minded and share and learn with each other.  I reckon I have
made better friendships on line than I have in person.  People have promised
to come visit and not shown up - they promise to call and never do and it
disrupts our day waiting for them to turn up, or call.  When we promise we act
on it so we do not let anyone down or call to cancel if we have to...Our next door neighbours about 200 yards up the road go to church every Sunday yet have
never come and visited us in friendship, yet James and I have often popped in
to say hi. They are locals and you would think they would welcome new comers
to the district...!
 
I agree the bible does seem to be contradictions and people do use verses
to justify themselves.  Probably one of the reasons I do not read mine so often. 
I live within my values, ethics, morals, laws of the land when they agree with
Jesus teachings as I understand them - Treat others as you would like them
to treat you.. is a good guideline for me.

James is under the same impression with you, that some books have been
lost and are not all included in our bible as we know it.  I am not sure which
side of the fence I am really on with this theory. I have discussed with James is...
God is more than capable with the Holy Spirit to enlighten us where we err in
our daily lives.  I reckon (just my opinion) that if there are missing books,  God
will reveal them when the time is right.  We have the foundation books that are
needed for our personal walk.  I know the bible is 'Living' one can read a passage,
verse, whole chapter many times and then suddenly it is like a flash light is
shining on this same piece - this time it really speaks to you and you see and
comprehend a new lesson.  The bible grows with each person who reads it, to
teach.

I agree and empathize with you regarding asking for assistance in the church.
When we were living in Oregon I had the worse asthma attack and had to be
in hospital for 4 days and 4 nights.  I lost my job as personal companion and
care giver to  Joy a disabled woman 3 - 4 times per week.  I accompanied her to
church in the mobility bus each week. She attended the same church as I was introduced to and even though I was being paid.  Joy had a court appointed conservator  overseeing her money so they decided after I got out of hospital
they were not making enough money from the fee they could charge Joy
and could replace me with another on less wages.  They blamed it on Joy
whom did not speak well and she had not indicated at all she was unhappy with
me and would not accept her phone calls to explain why I was let go..
I was out of a job, James was working minimum wages and now was left to him
so he suggested I go to the church and ask for some assistance to tie us over.
I was still very weak and very depressed and the medication I was taking I did not realize was too strong and impairing my normal faculties.

Well I had to run the gauntlet with the front desk woman who was brutally rude.
Wanting to know why I wanted to visit with the Pastor and when I replied with our
story she rudely said that all the money they put aside is earmarked a month in
advance and there was no more.  I still requested to see the Pastor as I wanted
someone to talk to and prayer. (In all the time I have been in the States I have
one 'live' friend and she is a immigrant from England so we have lots in common,
I had not met her yet when this happened)
When I got in to speak with the Pastor (they had about 5 for this huge church) I
mentioned that I was lonely and had made overtures to other members of the
church to make friends but nothing came of it.  I could not walk around the church
leaving Joy to introduce myself to others so could only interact a little with my
immediate neighbours.  Members would come and speak with Joy and ignore me.
He said, members thought that Joy wanted to be in church but I was only there because I was paid.  I felt so insulted and it did not help my mood at all.  The
Pastors wife called me once to inquire how I was after that and nothing else.
I have not been inside church since..


Amanda