steveorino

Biblical definition of faith is found in the book of Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." And another key verse is Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." I have faith in God ... you don't. To me it is that simple. I'm not better because I do, you are not better because you believe I believe in something no one can easily define or study. steveOrino

2nd strip with political theme is up. Remember, sacred cows make good hamburger. DZ comic, sure to offend libs & cons alike! steveOrino

Yeah, I edit that out - you can see the transition after drogue throw. steveOrino

The guy made it easy -- such a nice arch, and obviously very animated. steveOrino

I agree. Outside video is better overall by far. Especially when done by a good vidiot with still capabilities. This guy didn't want outside video, so I took it along. After he saw the footage -- he wanted it.

I have one idea that I THINK could have some effect, but maybe not. About 90% of the gas stations in the Tulsa area are Kum N Go, Quik Trip, Fiesa Mart & Star MArt. All of them have convenient stores. We all need gas most every day and what we don't buy on May 15th wil be made up on May 16th. What we don't need is over priced pop, beer, snacks, etc. What would happen if we only bought gas and refused to buy anything from the convenient store for a month? steveOrino

BINGO! steveOrino

Hey, I guess I should feel honored that your first post is to rag on me. If you really looked at the video and you can tell I'm not looking at the handcam after exit or during drogue pitch. steveOrino

Post 'em if you got 'em! http://www.steveorino.com/videos/handcam2.wmv Yeah, I know the drogue in the burble by my head was a little scarey. steveOrino

Luke 13:1-5 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Tragedies and calamities are not good predictors of righteousness. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 steveOrino

With the afore mentioned definition that may not be true. I looked at a map of sex crime offenders in my area, and while there were none in my subdivision there were 20+ within a 4 square mile radius. This is a "nice" part of south Tulsa. I find it good info to have, especially when my two granddaughters are around. steveOrino

And after living in Texas for 10 years, I've come to realize there ARE worse things than death! Try Okiehoma ... oh, for to be back in the Lone Star State! steveOrino

The Magnificant Seven The Great Escape Sayonora To Kill a Mocking Bird The Green Berets (okay, maybe it's just me) Lilies of the Field The Sting The Birdcage The Longest Day The African Queen steveOrino

I work with kids every day and I would like a source for those stats if you can. Seem WAY out of wack to me. steveOrino

The bigger question ... would you WANT to survive?? IMHO death isn't the worst thing that could happen to me. steveOrino

Here are a few. One of me with a TALL tandem student, one having some fun, and one with my family this last Christmas doing the metal "clutch", The last one is my wife & I after my 1000th jump (her first tandem) steveOrino

Guaranteed to offend Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, and my mother if she was still alive. http://www.dzcomic.com steveOrino

I know a little. It freaked me out the first Catholic funeral I attended (for a teacher) with all the stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down repeat this, kneel now. steveOrino

You mean first hubby of "It takes a Village" Hillary? How'd he let that one slip by? steveOrino

I don't know. I'm not a catholic. I did coach FB at a Catholic High School, though. steveOrino

Have no fear, if the libs get their way they'll appoint lots of judges that believe it takes a village (big government) to raise a child. steveOrino

I blame BIGUN for steering me in this direction a few years back. steveOrino

Dude, it is a TV show. It is suppose to entertain. As Scott said, reality is quite boring. I served in SF for three years and I imagine my every day life back then would make for a pretty boring show. But all that being said, we bow down to your expert knowledge about SF units, Delta in particular, and anything related to skydiving. steveOrino

Yes, but he also know you may choose a myriad of something else. he also knows somebody may make a call and you might workthrough lunch. The list of possibilities is endless and God knows them all. pretty impressive eh? Are you aware that there are prophecies that did not come to pass because of man's free will? Take for instance in the book of Jonah -- God gave Joanh this message from God for the people of Ninevah "In forty days Ninevah wil be overturned" However, the people of Ninevah repented and God did not "overturn" Ninevah. Failed prophecy? Not exactly. Man's free will changed God's mind. I don't see that it would either. Why are there tornado and Tsunamis, cancer, disease? I don't have a good reason. Job asked the same questions. He did not get a reply other than "You're not God, so who are you to judge me?" type of reply. No, I think God knowing all POSSIBLE futures is the act ony an all knowing God could perform. To say God is not omniscient because he allows man's free will is like the stupid question, "can God create a rock so big he can't lift it?" To me that is simply the question the unlearned ask. Through a good study and understanding of God's word as presented by the Bible and the teachings of Christ, through God's other teachers, and from nature itself. Truth is truth whether I choose it or not not -- whether itt is popular or not. I'm wrong at times, I know that. I also know I'm human and not God, so I do not expect my interpretations to be 100% free from error. So do I know I'm 100% right all th etime? Of course not. First, show me where I have rejected "objective" evidence. Ultimately God will judge who was right and wrong, not me, not you. Since it is my butt on the line, I'm making the best possible judgment based onthe evidence I have. If you or some jihadist disagrees, that doesn't make me wrong anymore than my interpretations make them wrong. As I said, I'm making the best informed decisions I can. steveOrino

You're the one to bring up the coin toss. The outcome there is 50/50. Your statement that there are an infinite number of choices we can make proves the point that God's forknowledge of all those choices is a greater ability in Omniscience then simply knowing a future He predetermined. Talk to any Wesleyan theist. EDITED TO ADD: You're in England, right? Talk to many Oxford theologians. I've told you many times I believe God knows ALL possible futures. There is not one set future if man has free will, so therefore it would be impossible for God to know exactly what we would choose if we have free will. Being God he can know all our possible choices, but he leaves the choosing up to us. No problem, I'm at a loss to explain Wesleyan theology of free will in a forum thread in such a manner a layman can understand. I can be 100% accurate if I say they will choose either 1 or 2. Not much of a problem is it? Now try doing that with a few billion people with infinite choices. I cannot predict that but God can, It is in the nature of God. I'm not a Calvinist so I wil not try and defend that understanding of the balance between predestination and free will. They do not co-exist IMHO. That is why I am no longer a Calvinsit as I once was when I was younger. I do not pretend to answer for anyone but me. I try to align my actions with what Christ teaches. I have studied it intensively and while I have a better than average understanding, I'm not the resident expert. Our free will to choose and make choices is part of God's design (as I interpret scripture) With that freedom comes mistakes and errors. I believe God knows this and while I cannot speak for him in the areas he remains silent I can guess he determines man's free will is better than being a puppet on a string. Let me add, there are many Christians who are Calvinist in their understanding of God's omniscience. As well as there are many who attend an Arminian Church such as Methodist or Church of God, and hold a Calvinist view in spite of what their denomination teaches.The same is true for some Calvinist Churches like Baptist and AOG. To me this difference is a non-essential in our fellowship. I'm not the one that desires to have every question about God and His ways answered. It appears you are that person. I'm very content for God to be mysterious and above my complete understanding. steveOrino