There's something I want to do...

[Rick Otto]

LOL, OK J-dog. You're off my birthday card list.=8O

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

No way, I didn't know parties were create by satanists. Ah man. Oh well. But I guess like if we claim it in Jesus it's cool. Besides isn't it more about remember how old you are or... but that's kind of depressing as well. Who wants to remember how old they are getting. What if we like just stayed 18 years old forever? If somebody gives me a happy 24th birthday card they never invited to my house again xD

That is why I have had no one to my house in almost 40 yrs

 

[seeingeyes]

Is that possible? To call a heathen celebration Christian just because I'm Christian & I want to throw one?

See what happens as soon as everyone knows what the event is? No one cares anymore that heathens invented it, Jesus nor any apostles did it or approved of it, it only appears twice in the bible & both accounts are homicidaly dark.

Have your pagan party, just don't be a pagan about it?
We have met the enemy...

So no, I'm not JW, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Ok, so I've argued this with myself a bit. I (personally) feel quite neutral on the subject. I do celebrate my children's birthdays, but my own birthday became a lot less important to me after the age of 21. Of course, I frequently have to ask my family to remind me exactly how old I am.

Reasons against having a birthday party:
-Biblical birthday parties are homicidally dark (love that phrasing, by the way).
-Celebrating the anniversary of the day you were born is inherently self-focused, hence, contrary to the teachings of Jesus.
-You are (presumably) a big boy, and no one can make you party if you don't want to.

Reasons for having a birthday party:
-It is an important part of your family culture, and refusing to appear may hurt the feelings of others if they don't/can't understand your motivations.
-It is a chance to be grateful to God for the fact that you are still breathing, and to celebrate with friends and family. (Jesus didn't turn his nose up at parties as far as I can tell.)
-If you are canonized, we will be celebrating your birthday long after you are dead, Saint Rick, so you may as well get used to it now.

It's a tie.

My advice would be this: If you feel that having this party would be offensive to your Father in heaven, then by no means do it. If you believe it is sin, then it is.

However, if you don't want to have this party because you are a grouchy old man who hates cake, then you should grit your teeth and go through with it for the sake of those you love.

Choose your battles wisely, brother.

God bless

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

No way, I didn't know parties were create by satanists. Ah man. Oh well. But I guess like if we claim it in Jesus it's cool. Besides isn't it more about remember how old you are or... but that's kind of depressing as well. Who wants to remember how old they are getting. What if we like just stayed 18 years old forever? If somebody gives me a happy 24th birthday card they never invited to my house again xD

LOL, OK J-dog. You're off my birthday card list.=8O

But he is a Pastor for God's sake!!

 

[Fireinfolding]

Thanks. It's been bothering me since the first birthday party I went to.

Maybe if Peter had just thrown a birthday party for Jesus, I'd have a whole different outlook.

My mom said I had a birthday party tantrum when I was little, ruining the whole thing. But its something thats sorta hurled on you but it can foster a self centeredness I suppose. My mom would say, "this is YOUR day" (type thing). She would get me all prettied up and everyone would come and give me stuff. If anything went wrong on that day, like when I didnt win the prizes for pin the tail on the donkey (and my cousin did) it would be followed by a tantrum.

I was a brat, and that day (if I look back) and examine my behavior (as a child) did nothing but help foster my bad behavior my self centeredness. Some (like bad little me) just made me worse having something in my own honour. Im sure not all kids are as bad as me. But youtube might be a fun place to see the outcomes of childrens birthday parties.

I just sorta take it as something unnecessary, Im not a JW myself but I dont celebrate it, I sorta feel weird binding someone to my day of birth (with the general assumption of "bring me a gift") or something, if you know what I mean. The same with christmas though, I dont judge anyone for celebrating the day, but for me (and the way I was brought up celebrating it) was bondage to me, so I let it go. I was broke by the end of it, would rather discard the day (in giving to folks who have no need of anything) and go back to serving Christ (everyday) where I might find a need. Speaks of giving gifts to the rich and growing poor, and that was me at christmas time. There would be nothing left for the poor after I took care of those who had stuff (and a list for more stuff) who I cared to please (lest I be judged as a scrourge) or cheap (or whatever). It was really just bondage to me, given my circle of participants which were celebrating the day.

At least Im not broke come January and dreading the credit card bill due to the fact I couldnt REALLY afford all that gift giving and was really doing it so my gift wouldnt appear so insignificant in comparison to others, because it sure wasnt for their NEED I was giving it.

But I "get it" Rick, and its good to look something in the eye (so to speak) and ask yourself questions like this and settle it in your heart. There seems to come a time when your ready to ask it, and a time (beforehand) when you arent ready (just yet) to do that.

So good on you

 

[Rick Otto]

quote=seeingeyes;Ok, so I've argued this with myself a bit.

Oh my! You ARE an odd bird,
I say that like it's a good thing.

I (personally) feel quite neutral on the subject.

Perhaps it would be safer to be in 'park'? (giggling)

I do celebrate my children's birthdays, but my own birthday became a lot less important to me after the age of 21. Of course, I frequently have to ask my family to remind me exactly how old I am.

Yeah, me too (used to), celebrate my son's birthdays. Not anymore. It might be an excuse to take 'em out for dinner, which is special enough since we make way, way under $250,000 a year.

Reasons against having a birthday party:
-Biblical birthday parties are homicidally dark (love that phrasing, by the way).
-Celebrating the anniversary of the day you were born is inherently self-focused, hence, contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

Outstanding. You've organized the all into a list. Wish I'd thought of that. It looks collegiate.

-You are (presumably) a big boy, and no one can make you party if you don't want to.

You haven't met my mother-in-law.

Reasons for having a birthday party:
-It is an important part of your family culture, and refusing to appear may hurt the feelings of others if they don't/can't understand your motivations.
-It is a chance to be grateful to God for the fact that you are still breathing, and to celebrate with friends and family. (Jesus didn't turn his nose up at parties as far as I can tell.)

Wedding parties, dinner parties, evangelical picnics, no problemo, seniorita. Birfday parties, problemo. Not grande, except for friends & familia not agreeing. If scripture put Jesus at a birthday party, no problemo. But it didn't, So poqio(small) problemo.

-If you are canonized, we will be celebrating your birthday long after you are dead, Saint Rick, so you may as well get used to it now.

I will spin in my whitewashed sepulchre!

It's a tie.

Maybe I can work out a deal with myself if I'm willing to negotiate & don't hold myself hostage to a position.(?)

My advice would be this: If you feel that having this party would be offensive to your Father in heaven, then by no means do it. If you believe it is sin, then it is.

Thank you.

However, if you don't want to have this party because you are a grouchy old man who hates cake, then you should grit your teeth and go through with it for the sake of those you love.

I get grouchy about being obligated to live up to hype expectations.
Cake I love. Parties I love, but making them in honor of a person for being born a certain day is the heigth of folly, imho.

Choose your battles wisely, brother.

Got that right. I wouldn't dare try to have this discussion anywhere else.

 

[Rick Otto]

My mom said I had a birthday party tantrum when I was little, ruining the whole thing. But its something thats sorta hurled on you but it can foster a self centeredness I suppose. My mom would say, "this is YOUR day" (type thing). She would get me all prettied up and everyone would come and give me stuff. If anything went wrong on that day, like when I didnt win the prizes for pin the tail on the donkey (and my cousin did) it would be followed by a tantrum.

I was a brat, and that day (if I look back) and examine my behavior (as a child) did nothing but help foster my bad behavior my self centeredness. Some (like bad little me) just made me worse having something in my own honour. Im sure not all kids are as bad as me. But youtube might be a fun place to see the outcomes of childrens birthday parties.

I just sorta take it as something unnecessary, Im not a JW myself but I dont celebrate it, I sorta feel weird binding someone to my day of birth (with the general assumption of "bring me a gift") or something, if you know what I mean. The same with christmas though, I dont judge anyone for celebrating the day, but for me (and the way I was brought up celebrating it) was bondage to me, so I let it go. I was broke by the end of it, would rather discard the day (in giving to folks who have no need of anything) and go back to serving Christ (everyday) where I might find a need. Speaks of giving gifts to the rich and growing poor, and that was me at christmas time. There would be nothing left for the poor after I took care of those who had stuff (and a list for more stuff) who I cared to please (lest I be judged as a scrourge) or cheap (or whatever). It was really just bondage to me, given my circle of participants which were celebrating the day.

At least Im not broke come January and dreading the credit card bill due to the fact I couldnt REALLY afford all that gift giving and was really doing it so my gift wouldnt appear so insignificant in comparison to others, because it sure wasnt for their NEED I was giving it.

But I "get it" Rick, and its good to look something in the eye (so to speak) and ask yourself questions like this and settle it in your heart. There seems to come a time when your ready to ask it, and a time (beforehand) when you arent ready (just yet) to do that.

So good on you

Thank you so much. You know when we include a personal anecdote it makes this place a lot more homy.
And that is exactly the sort of thing I remember happening too, along with getting all dressed up to have fun in clothes you're warned not to get dirty! It was a nightmare of worrying about living up to unrealistic expectations. Bunch of kids all hyped up on sugar trying to behave? Not a good idea. lol,... especialy blindfolding one & handing him a pin!

 

[Rick Otto]

But he is a Pastor for God's sake!!

I hear ya, but I have to maintain standards. If I bend for a pastor, I'll have to kneel for a priest, roll over for a bishop & do backflips for a pope.
That would not only be unseemly but in my poor shape, could be fatal.

 

[seeingeyes]

Thank you so much. You know when we include a personal anecdote it makes this place a lot more homy.
And that is exactly the sort of thing I remember happening too, along with getting all dressed up to have fun in clothes you're warned not to get dirty! It was a nightmare of worrying about living up to unrealistic expectations. Bunch of kids all hyped up on sugar trying to behave? Not a good idea. lol,... especialy blindfolding one & handing him a pin!

I wonder if growing up with that 'style' of party has something to do with it. When I was a kid, it was cake and ice cream, presents from my parents and maybe hitting the slip'n'slide with a couple of neighbor kids. It was a big deal to my mind, but it wasn't a catered EVENT that mom was using to keep up with the Jones' or anything like that.

And that's what I do with my kids, too. For one day a year they can eat what they want and they don't have to clean up after themselves and the Grammas and Aunts come to spoil them. It's enough.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Thank you so much. You know when we include a personal anecdote it makes this place a lot more homy.
And that is exactly the sort of thing I remember happening too, along with getting all dressed up to have fun in clothes you're warned not to get dirty! It was a nightmare of worrying about living up to unrealistic expectations. Bunch of kids all hyped up on sugar trying to behave? Not a good idea. lol,... especialy blindfolding one & handing him a pin!

Yeah bro, all that, mom burning my head with the curling iron, those pink (embarrassing) ribbons, and for girls those darn colored stockings that just drove me bonkers. I'll never forget the feeling of them (scratchy I'd call them). Though when I had my daughter, and her "mom mom" (my mom) bought her her first christmas dress that stocking issue come up in my daughter (tantrum followed with her too). I was like "just take them off" (sheesh) I was sympathizin' with her (even though I let my mom have that honor of buying her dress). And My mom was like, "well that just ruins the whole look now". We really are so different that way.

But as seeingeyes brought up about catered events, that was never us, my mom was never rich or had anything catered, she worked 7 days a week. However, my moms priorities were to never give "the appearance" of being less-so (if you know what I mean). It was always of high importance to her (that image). Similar to coveting a social status (or class) she really didnt belong to. And that (at times) made life a living hell in trying to put on the air of it. So her own pressure (caring what others thought) becomes yours (natually so) because you were a part of that image she was trying to present (to others). Thus my whole stupid christmas giving tude, going broke while spinning my wheels for those who had no need of anything (when you really look at it). Then my misery when the bill come in for it, because I couldnt afford it, and I was quite unwilling (unlike my mother) to work 7 days a week to impress others (to that effect). This actually become a later source of contention between my mother and myself. I was fine with sheets as curtains, and my mom was embarrassed that I was fine by it. But over many years (like today) my mom has gotten much better (thank God).

But yeah, its like something thats put upon you when you are young, and unable to discern it. She raised me after her own pleasure (as a parent will do) but not so much (always) with wisdom. I suppose we might (as children) go forward taking a little of it with us (unknowingly) until the binding influence of it (in whatever way it was added to you) gets you asking the right questions and you throw it off yourself. Thank God for God and His taking over as the far better parent to us actually.

Children dont put on airs, they are taught to (as they conform to their parents wishes) even though those wishes (or secret desires) arent always in the right place. Children just take up jumping through some of the dumb hoops of their parents as well as the smart ones.

Peace bro. God bless

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by LittleLambofJesus

But he is a Pastor for God's sake!!
​

I hear ya, but I have to maintain standards. If I bend for a pastor, I'll have to kneel for a priest, roll over for a bishop & do backflips for a pope.
That would not only be unseemly but in my poor shape, could be fatal.

How much ya offering if I agree to do all of those to 'em

.

 

[Rick Otto]

How much ya offering if I agree to do all of those to 'em

.

Can't go there. I'm all mellowed out now from playin' with the puppy & I'm listenin' to Prairie Home Companion now. Besides, I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but I'm curious nevertheless how much you'd settle for.

 

[Rick Otto]

Yeah bro, all that, mom burning my head with the curling iron, those pink (embarrassing) ribbons, and for girls those darn colored stockings that just drove me bonkers. I'll never forget the feeling of them (scratchy I'd call them). Though when I had my daughter, and her "mom mom" (my mom) bought her her first christmas dress that stocking issue come up in my daughter (tantrum followed with her too). I was like "just take them off" (sheesh) I was sympathizin' with her (even though I let my mom have that honor of buying her dress). And My mom was like, "well that just ruins the whole look now". We really are so different that way.

But as seeingeyes brought up about catered events, that was never us, my mom was never rich or had anything catered, she worked 7 days a week. However, my moms priorities were to never give "the appearance" of being less-so (if you know what I mean). It was always of high importance to her (that image). Similar to coveting a social status (or class) she really didnt belong to. And that (at times) made life a living hell in trying to put on the air of it. So her own pressure (caring what others thought) becomes yours (natually so) because you were a part of that image she was trying to present (to others). Thus my whole stupid christmas giving tude, going broke while spinning my wheels for those who had no need of anything (when you really look at it). Then my misery when the bill come in for it, because I couldnt afford it, and I was quite unwilling (unlike my mother) to work 7 days a week to impress others (to that effect). This actually become a later source of contention between my mother and myself. I was fine with sheets as curtains, and my mom was embarrassed that I was fine by it. But over many years (like today) my mom has gotten much better (thank God).

But yeah, its like something thats put upon you when you are young, and unable to discern it. She raised me after her own pleasure (as a parent will do) but not so much (always) with wisdom. I suppose we might (as children) go forward taking a little of it with us (unknowingly) until the binding influence of it (in whatever way it was added to you) gets you asking the right questions and you throw it off yourself. Thank God for God and His taking over as the far better parent to us actually.

Children dont put on airs, they are taught to (as they conform to their parents wishes) even though those wishes (or secret desires) arent always in the right place. Children just take up jumping through some of the dumb hoops of their parents as well as the smart ones.

Peace bro. God bless

Wow, you said a mouthful.
Yeah, dress up clothes can be a real pain. I'm 57 & they still can make me want to throw a tantrum, lol. 10 times worse for girls I can imagine.
I'm not as 'bad' as sheets for curtains (lol), but while I was a single parent with my first son in the 80s, I had brick & board shelves, a wooden spool from electrical cable for a dinner table & a VW bus back-seat for a couch that we watched our 19 inch black & white TV on.
Parental hoops can be hard to sort out sometimes. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Rick Otto]

I wonder if growing up with that 'style' of party has something to do with it. When I was a kid, it was cake and ice cream, presents from my parents and maybe hitting the slip'n'slide with a couple of neighbor kids. It was a big deal to my mind, but it wasn't a catered EVENT that mom was using to keep up with the Jones' or anything like that.

And that's what I do with my kids, too. For one day a year they can eat what they want and they don't have to clean up after themselves and the Grammas and Aunts come to spoil them. It's enough.

That sounds a lot more sane.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Wow, you said a mouthful.
Yeah, dress up clothes can be a real pain. I'm 57 & they still can make me want to throw a tantrum, lol. 10 times worse for girls I can imagine.
I'm not as 'bad' as sheets for curtains (lol), but while I was a single parent with my first son in the 80s, I had brick & board shelves, a wooden spool from electrical cable for a dinner table & a VW bus back-seat for a couch that we watched our 19 inch black & white TV on.
Parental hoops can be hard to sort out sometimes. Thanks for the insight.

Yep, I recall those bro, I had them way back myself. Though my mom worked for a company who supplied JC penny with store fixtures and she was able to get me some wooden display tables. I just had to push two together for our coffee table and I had one for our TV.

I live in an earthberm home in the middle of nowheres now, so I've found a solution to my sheets/ curtains, I dont have any need of them now. I was never too much into the whole drapes scene, and I really stink at measuring stuff (anything with numbers though).

Sure is a shame no one thought of getting me some curtains for my birthday, because I was celebrating it back in those days (and which is more to the topic). lol sorry I did derail your thread a tad.

Whatever does the trick

God bless you

 

[Clare73]

Apparel is addressed in several contexts, so in the general sense, yes.

I'm not sure if any scribes were slaves, but I can imagine some were.

Illustration in the general sense shouldn't be sensualy provocative and God seems displeased by "graven images", but apparently just ones that are employed in worship.

Solomon had chariots. Peter had a boat. Vehicles seem to be OK.

That's a stretch.

Was your concern generally about all parties, festivities and celebrations, or just specifically about birthdays?

In the faith,
Clare

 

[Clare73]

Thanks. It's been bothering me since the first birthday party I went to. Honoring anyone in this format (annual birth date) is aping pagans.

So we shouldn't do anything pagans do?

Driving cars?
Eating pizza?
Etc., etc., etc.

If you think it's wrong, you shouldn't do it.

It's a sin against your conscience.

I would pray for a right conscience.

In the faith,
Clare

 

[Rick Otto]

That's a stretch.

Was your concern generally about all parties, festivities and celebrations, or just specifically about birthdays?

In the faith,
Clare

Just birthday parties. They seem so much more about ego gratification and obligation than unadulterated gratitude.
Mother's Day & Father's Day seemed legit except I wanted a Son's Day.

I'm a bit of a musician, so I love parties. The spontaneous ones can be sometimes be the best ones.

 

[seeingeyes]

Just birthday parties. They seem so much more about ego gratification and obligation than unadulterated gratitude.
Mother's Day & Father's Day seemed legit except I wanted a Son's Day.

I'm a bit of a musician, so I love parties. The spontaneous ones can be sometimes be the best ones.

Oooo... You could throw a party celebrating the fact that you will no longer be celebrating birthdays! That'll get the word out.

 

[Rick Otto]

quote=Clare73;So we shouldn't do anything pagans do?

No darlin', that would be overstating the case.
We should examine our conscience about birthdays & phase them out gradualy because they are of pagan design, as opposed to designed by pagans, if you get my meaning. They were designed to glorify the self, not God.

If you think it's wrong, you shouldn't do it. It's a sin against your conscience.

I totaly get that, but the collateral damage puts it in the "is the cure worse than the disease" catagory of ethical weights & balance,

I would pray for a right conscience.

Yeah. A lot of that.