Wow!!!! Such strong faith in this group and I find that so very uplifting! Thanks for starting this thread, Mercy!
I was raised the daughter of a preacher. The first time I got caught smoking (age 10/rabbit tobacco rolled in dried leaves) I was made to memorize all the books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Duetronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth.....)I can still do it, folks! ;p As a teenager, I disliked the Bible being crammed down my throat, and I turned away from the Lord for many years. I could not be called athiest, more agnostic.......I was first to drop to my knees, out of habit, when the $hi+ hit the fan! :blush:
Sometime ago, I felt the need to get in touch with Jesus once again. My family searched and visited many churches before we fell in love with a small country Methodist church with strong family values. I insisted on a 'good fit' between church and our family. We tried ALL churches---I raised strict Southern Baptist---much to MY family's dismay, we could be found at Catholic services, Church of Christ, Pentacostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Interdemonitional, Baptist, etc.....
The bottom line is...it really doesn't matter. As long as we believe in a Supreme Being...no matter WHAT we call Him, we are all brothers and sisters. We need to love one another. We need not approve of the behaviors, but of the person (much like we feel about our children). We can still love our children as we move with no forwarding address! LOL! I think that God feels the same way towards us over matters of smoking and excessive drink and other ways that we harm our bodies, the temple of God. Just something to think about. God Bless!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 191
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,598
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1528
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 52 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40