suzette s

I'm trying to stage my bedroom without spending a fortune. My walls were a fairly pale balanced (neither too warm nor too cool yellow) and I bought a pretty intense golden sheet set for my bed and gold curtains online... the curtains were supposed to be more like ivory with a little gold in the print, but what I got was a deep old gold and they darken the room a bit more than I'd like. I'm on a time crunch and can't send them back now... they're up and they look fine. The floor is oak hardwood, more golden color, lol. Also between the curtains and the sheets and my deep gold lampshade I've got a lot of feminine pattern going on in the room.

So, I need to buy a bedspread today and it needs to be fairly solid in color without a lot of pattern. I was thinking of getting something in ivory that has a sheen to it because the room looks pretty formal so a plain cotton one wouldn't look right. But I'd rather add another cool color to the room, like a pale aqua or something... trouble is I can't envision it. I need to go light or pale because the curtains, floor and oak trim in the room are really darkening it.

It seems like I am hearing from others in my area that they are feeling compelled by the Holy Spirit more than usual lately to fast and pray. I just wondered if this is happening across the nation?

If so, is it a fairly new phenomena in your life?

What are you feeling compelled to pray about (if it isn't too personal?)

I know we aren't supposed to publicly fast and pray to get attention, so it is generally a private thing, but since this is a fairly anonymous forum I thought we could discuss it without feeling like we were boasting...

I know these will vary a little, but it is something I struggle with just a bit. I hate it when a new church hands me a 12 page thesis statement that says "this is what you have to believe to be a part of this church." Isn't it much, much simpler than that?

What exactly must a person believe and do in order to be "saved?" Please don't give me "the Roman Road" I'm familiar with it. But do try to back up what you say with scriptures if you can.

Thanks.

Many Christians are becoming zealous about Creation Science/Intelligent Design which rejects much of what is taught about evolution. What I am asking is, if you are a Christian who adheres to this philosophy, do you believe that any Christian who believes God may have used evolution is not a true Christian, hence that it is a "foundational belief?"

If so, then what about all the Christians in the New Testament who never read Genesis in their lives and only had limited access to any scriptures whatsoever? The "New Testament" was still being written...

Mind you, I've met a lot of nice cashiers. But at our local Walmart, Kmart, lower end grocery stores & even in Department stores, I've noticed a trend... About half the time their cashiers treat customers like a contagious disease. I know they have to deal with some nasty customers, but I always try to smile & make positive or amusing comments. About half of them respond positively and the other half just ignore me, some strike up a conversation with a coworker, and others feel compelled to make some negative comment or criticism. (Then there's the negative body language... the unhappy expressions, refusal to make eye contact, basically throwing things into the bags or cart.)

There are exceptional stores where the employees are obviously trained to ALWAYS be positive (like Safeway) and I find myself going there more than other places just because I feel happier there.

Have you had similar experiences? Any theories on why this is happening? Thanks!

If you are hay bale gardening, tell me what plants are working for you and what plants aren't. Do you have any helpful tips about hay bale gardening?

I started doing this 3 years ago and I love it! It is so much easier than regular gardening. You're further off the ground, there are far fewer weeds and pests, it takes less water, you don't have to "till" and the old hay turns into compost when you're done!

Thanks!

If you are hay bale gardening, tell me what plants are working for you and what plants aren't. Do you have any helpful tips about hay bale gardening?

I started doing this 3 years ago and I love it! It is so much easier than regular gardening. You're further off the ground, there are far fewer weeds and pests, it takes less water, you don't have to "till" and the old hay turns into compost when you're done!

Thanks!