Good for you, since I have not even read one of them. I guess you get used to the way he speaks and can understand each one a bit better as you go along, hey? I saw the movie, "The merchant of Venice" and it didn't seem to be a comedy to me...but maybe Shakespeare's sense of humor was different that ours in this day and time!

Congrats on getting through these plays. I am sure you are getting more excited every day as it draws close to you going to see R and J.

Yeah, once you read a Shakespearean play or two, the slang, terms, and language of the 16th Century seem to be a lot more clearer and easier to understand the second time through.
Maybe the reason why it didn't seem like a Comedy (cause from what I read of the synopsis, it certainly doesn't seem like one!) is because it was a play that was performed onstage - and only males were allowed to act. That includes female roles. That's why, back then, the sexual innuendos Shakespeare wrote were so hilarious. But... That's for some of it, anyway. But yes, Shakespeare's sense of humour is very different. But it makes me laugh every now and again.

Well, kudos to you for persevering...I hope you are going to church tomorrow?

Yup. Whether I like it or not, which, typically, I don't like. 

I think it is your attitude that is a bit stinky again, my friend.  Remember what I told you about mindset? That is ninety percent of the battle.  God to church EXPECTING to have a good time and to thank God that he has saved you and kept you another day, and for rising from the dead so that you don't have to die on the cross for being a sinner.....and guess what? YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME!  You may even make a difference in someone's life, just by being there with that smile and positive outlook!

Church is always the same old thing. A same old routine every week that I despise facing. When my mother wakes up, I instantly get really angry. Is church something that I'm supposed to enjoy going to? Because I don't, not one bit. Mother says that Satan is the one making me angry and extra-tired so I don't like getting up. She's a religious freak, though.

You sound like a religious freak is a bad thing...I think if you are going to do something,  you may as well do it with gusto, so I say good for her!

BUT, and i say a huge BUT....perhaps you have not found the right church yet!  In our services, we experience new and varied moves of the spirit in each service.  Sure, we still sing, hear a special song from time to time...today the pastor read my poem "Cat of Nine Tails", we hear a sermon and today we had Holy Communion...but we don't just go through the motions...the music is very lively..but the most lively thing about it is that the spirit of Christ, or the Holy Spirit lives and moves in us.  Contrary to what some preach, we do not believe that you automatically receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when you give your life to Christ.  We believe that that is just the repentance stage, and that you get baptized in Jesus' name to wash away the sin, and then as he said in Acts 2:38, that you WILL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. And we believe (and I know because it happened to me) that when you seek him and praise his name, he takes over your tongue and starts to speak in a heavenly language which is just between you and him, and that is when you know that you have received the Holy Spirit.  From time to time, it is a known tongue, or language, somewhere in the world, but usually, it is not...just between you and God and he said that you will have power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you....

Right now you don't have power to be an overcomer in this world because you do not have the Holy Spirit living in you, as your comforter, giving you the power you need.  I pray daily, and usually a day does not go by that I don't speak in tongues again.  Sometimes there are no words to express what you feel to the Lord, or what you are going through and the Holy Spirit just takes over, communicating with the Lord on your behalf, in order to let the feelings out.  Or when you have the Holy Spirit, he will sometimes lay a burden on your heart that you don't even know the reason for, and when you pray in the Spirit, he takes care of the need and lifts your burden, and you know whatever it was is now okay.  I have heard that sometimes you find out later, that at that particular time, something was going on, and the prayer got the person out of danger or whatever it was.....God is so great...and there is so much more you can experience in him.

He has taken you this far, and what you have is great, but we have just tapped the surface of all wants to do through us and for us.  He wants us to believe that miracles really happen.  He wants us to trust him that when  we pray, in His name, believing, that it will be so....


Don't give up on him, Emily; you aint seen nothin yet....stop doubting, and start trying the Lord, and just see what happens.

I THINK YOU ARE SO ANGRY ALL THE TIME, BECAUSE HE IS ACTUALLY WORKING IN YOUR SPIRIT AND YOU ARE KICKING AGAINST IT....and I don't think he is going to give up so easily, because you have potential to be someone great in his kingdom.

People that depend and put everything - from consequence to joyful moment - on the Lord really aggravate me. It's annoying. My mom does it, this lady at my school does it, and people at my church (obviously) do it. It annoys me to no end.

I don't enjoy going to church. I find it's a waste of time because it's not going to do anything or impact me in any way. It bores me, I'll be honest. I don't want to seem like I'm depending on somebody else because people'll think I'm weak. I don't sing sings of worship because it makes Him sound self-indulgent. I'm not willing to sacrifice all I have - my addictions, and my plans for my life to Him because I like it the way it is.

I watched the movie 'Fireproof' recently. Loved it to bits. There was this guy who smashed his computer up because it was 'worth more than his wife'. I don't know how he can do that. Don't know how anybody can do it. Because if I did, I would seriously go out of my mind. I'm not even exaggerating that point.

I don't believe in miracles. Some people say I am proof of one thanks to my premature birth, but that's not a miracle. That's just something my family and I managed to pull through. I don't see anybody being raised from the dead. I don't see anybody being cured of possession. I don't know how you can expect me to trust in something that I'm severly doubting and almost giving up on. I've seen enough. Why can't he bother somebody else?

Fine, Then I'll write a letter to Him because it's easier.

Well, you have told me, and in telling me, he has seen what you had to say and how you feel.  But you will not be able to get away from Him that easily. David said "If I make my bed in hell, you are there"...in other words, because he created even satan and hell, no one can escape from him....but as I said, you may be in danger when you tell him you are not interested...he is not going to MAKE you serve him...that is why you have a self will.

And sorry I annoy you; but when you are in true dire straits, the ones you will call on are the ones who believe in the power of prayer; just mark my words.

I know God has created Satan and hell. Satan used to be an angel, no? Betrayed God, he did. Thought he was better than Him or something. Couldn't God have stopped that? Doesn't it hurt Him, knowing that some of us, as human beings and His creations are going to be condemned to hell forever?
Sorry. I ask why too much. I really don't know why, either. And Bonnie, if I came across that day seeming like I was annoyed at you, then I apologize.

Oh, it was just because of your first sentence, that people like me really aggravate you...and you put your mum in the same category. One day you are going to be so proud that she stood her ground and gave you tough love...but that will be when you are grown and out of the house, and actually start MISSING her!  I promise that will truly happen!

God gave us all a free will and he wouldn't want it any other way.  He does not want us to be robots, just doing his bidding and praising him all day long because he built it into us...he has the angels to do that. But he did give them a free will, as well, and that is why Lucifer, as he was then called....angel of light, rebelled...he was great, but thought he could be greater than God, and because God is a just God and has to keep his word, He cannot live with sin in his presence and had to cast him out...with the minions who chose to follow him.

And, when it is all over, he will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is enlarging itself to fit all of those who are drawn in by Satan's wiles.

Sure, it breaks the Lord's heart to know that they will be there forever, but he said that whosoever will may come...he has given us a chance to choose him. And that is why he doesn't give up until he sees there is absolutely no hope for us.  I think he sees that spark of hope in you, my friend, and keeps wooing you, knowing that you, deep down, truly long for a close relationship with him....especially since you have known a taste of it ...and will not forget hearing him speak to you in your heart....

Love you, sweetie...no need to apologize, but I'm glad you did!