I have a homework question.

[wxcrazytwo]

Stellar Storm wrote:
I don't know what book you are reading that says that changing a culture is a bad thing. For instance, it use to be in our culture that blacks and whites use separate bathrooms, etc. However, our inert core value - that was always there inside of each person that held it - helped us to realize the wrong and change our culture. Does that mean that everything we did as a culture was wrong? Absolutely not! We still hold on to much of that which we believe is right. Change didn't happen overnight - nothing worthwhile ever does. But it was an outward change of something that had already been inside us. It's not the change itself....it's the reason behind the outward change that make the difference.


The description of whites and blacks is not one of culture, but rather is a societal one. Cultural means where one came from. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but what are you attempting to say? I am in graduate school, so you are going to have to talk with a higher perception that I can understand. SORRY. GO A LITTLE DEEPER IN YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS..

Certainly...and you don't sound arrogant at all. It is true that segration is a social issue...but it is also a cultural issue. Since social values (what we believe) are learned through our cultural heritage (where we came from), when we blend different cultures and become de-segregated it is without doubt that this will change...to a degree....all cultures involved to become accepting of others. Therefore, even though our heritages are from different countries across the world (I mean, how many of us can claim to be pure native American?) I have native American in my background....plus alot of other stuff.....English, German, Scottish.....oh...just call me Heinz 57.....but I don't identify with any one culture...except for American.....now the question is, "What is American culture? And how did it become that way? Point is, we had to make a change to desegregate (a social issue) to help form the culture that our children are now being raised in.

Yes, but being American is a superficial culture that you blended into. Your culture is what makes up your parents, which in turn is in you.

[wxcrazytwo]

Yes the professor I think would chastise you. I have no idea what you're taking (I thought you were going to business school and not seminary) but the truth of the matter is this in a christian worldview:

(a.) Men were created pure and blameless but assumed sin, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

(b.) In order to atone for sin, the Hebrews were told to make sacrifices in accordance with their infractions. This put a penalty on sin, as the penalty for sin is death.

(c.) Jesus the Anointed One atoned for all sins by a pure sacrifice. That all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and are redeemed freely by the grace of Chirst Jesus. So one must believe in Jesus to be redeemed.

Yet what does redeemed look like? Jesus never said abandon the laws, but Jesus did say that there are two highest of laws : love your lord your god, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. When asked who a neighbor is, Jesus offered the Good Samaratin parable (everyone who is suffering is your neighbor). So a christian will follow the laws of morality, not the mechanics because Christians are according to Paul freed from the law and Jesus says that the law should not be followed (strict observance of the Sabbath) when there is a need to do good.

So about the core values. A Christian is a follower of Christ. Timothy says that all scripture is useful for instruction, rebuking et cetera. Christians accept the whole of scripture as their moral basis and the life of Jesus as their moral model.

Can you be a Christian if you don't follow all the teachings of Christ? I'm not one to say, because I am not a Christian. That is something which neither the professor at college, your minister, or even the whole of the religious body can affirm or deny. But can you fully live a Christlike life without having the same values as Jesus, I think logically the answer is no you cannot.

And following the full values and practices of Jesus is something very few people have managed to do in an honest and genuine manner.

Brian, I am, I am going to Christian School, so I have to take some biblical classes. The business aspect blends into the biblical for a good business steward. Something like that.

[kevin]

Yes, but being American is a superficial culture that you blended into. Your culture is what makes up your parents, which in turn is in you.

I would have to disagree with this. American culture has some hallmarks.

(a.) Value of individual
(b.) Optimistic worldview
(c.) Confidence
(d.) Outspokenness

Among others. Most of them coming from 4th Century Athens.

[Amanzi]

I dont claim to be a smart person in any way shape or form, what I do know about being a christian is an unbreakable and unshakable knowledge of the truth that is the Word of God. Before we know Christ we are unable to change or transform.

I found this and wanted to share it with you.

Other sources of authority condemned

People often attempt to give human traditions higher authority than God's Word. This was true of the Jews of Jesus' day. In refuting the errors of the Sadducees, the Scripture records the Lord saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Christ Jesus continually castigated and rebuked the Pharisees because they made their traditions on a par with the Word of God--corrupting the very basis of truth by equating their traditions with God's Word. So He declared to them in Mark 7:13 "You are making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye." Since Scripture alone is inspired, it alone is the ultimate authority and it alone is the final judge of Tradition.

The Word of the Lord says as a commandment in Proverbs 30:5-6:

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

God commands that we are not to add to His Word: this command shows emphatically that it is God's Word alone that is pure and uncontaminated.

Aligned with Proverbs, the Lord's strong, clear declaration in Isaiah 8:20 is: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The truth is this: since God's written word alone is inspired, it and it alone is the sole rule of faith. It cannot be otherwise.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/ ... bible.html

I hope this helps, maybe I am not fully understanding your question. But from what I understand, when you acept Christ you want to be wholly and fully pleasing to him (not that you wont fall and make mistakes..) but that is the intention of a true christian, to be more and more like Christ. If something in your culture is acceptable but not acceptable to Christ, then continuing to do the cultural thing will cause you grief in your walk with Christ. Being a Christian is not just a religion it is a way of life. If you truly follow and embrace Christ you will not want to do anything that goes against the final authorotiy of God's word. Romans 8 Really gives you a good example of what the Bible thinks of this situation. http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/romans/romans8.htm

[Stellar Storm]

Amanzi - your answers are excellent. But I'm going to put myself out on a limb here for the sake of this conversation.

1. What does redeemed look like? Well, I don't know what it looks like but I know what it feels like. It feels like a peace that can't be contained - that has to be shared with everyone. Have you ever taped a football game to watch later, but someone tells you that your team won before you get to watch the tape? So when you go to watch it, you see the quarterback fumble the ball, and you start yelling at your tv....but then you remember....oh....we won anyways....and all the sudden you can forgive the quarterback for that mistake a little easier.

2. Can you be a Christian if you don't follow all the teachings of Jesus? Yes, I believe so. I'm not perfect and don't always follow the teachings of Christ. But I believe and accept Christ. I have the responsibility as a Christian to do my best.

3. And following the full values and practices of Jesus is something very few people have managed to do in an honest and genuine manner.

Yes, this is true. For all of us. And this is were I am going to put myself out on a limb. Not every Christian would agree with me that I did the right thing...they might think that I put my family at too much risk.....but that's okay....because what I do is not for everyone and no one is at fault for what they think they can handle.

Almost three years ago, my daughter met a boy in her dance class that was not a Christian - far, far from it. If anything, he was extremely angry at a God that he didn't believe in. My daughter and him became fast friends. He came from a terrible broken home....he lived with his grandmother and three younger siblings. His father worked offshore and rarely saw the kids. The only time his father would call him was to yell at him for doing something wrong - which increased on a daily basis and his home became a nightmare when he announced he was gay. Several years earlier, his mother abandoned all of them (and she abandon him at the tender age of 12! so it's not like he didn't know her!). This young man was extremely intelligent, a fantastic dancer, singer, and actor. He was also very, very arrogant. He was rude, inconsiderate, thoughtless. He lost friends just as fast as he made them. One night, he and my daughter were paired together for their high school recital. My husband and I watched a beautiful performance and afterward....we met our future son...Matt. We didn't know it at the time, but the Lord lead us in a direction we never saw. To make a long story short, I became aware of his plight and I called his grandmother and told her we had a spare bedroom, "Why don't you let him come over and stay for just a couple of weeks to relieve some of the tension in the house?" She gratefully agreed as he was beating on his sisters at the time. He never left.

We've had our wonderful, wonderful ups and terrible, terrible downs and I could certainly write a book. But the jist of it? I've never felt closer to God than to allow this non-Christian boy into our lives, into our hearts, into our family. He is not yet a Christian, and that will have to yet be his personal decision....I've given that part over to the Lord and tried not to worry.....but he's become an awesome outstanding loving person and we are proud to call him son. We love him so unbelievably - he is our own child. It is through this personal experience, this love we have for him that I understand how Christ loves Christians and non-Christians alike. I thank God for this unexpected turn in life. I am blessed.

[wxcrazytwo]

I dont claim to be a smart person in any way shape or form, what I do know about being a christian is an unbreakable and unshakable knowledge of the truth that is the Word of God. Before we know Christ we are unable to change or transform.

I found this and wanted to share it with you.

Other sources of authority condemned

People often attempt to give human traditions higher authority than God's Word. This was true of the Jews of Jesus' day. In refuting the errors of the Sadducees, the Scripture records the Lord saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Christ Jesus continually castigated and rebuked the Pharisees because they made their traditions on a par with the Word of God--corrupting the very basis of truth by equating their traditions with God's Word. So He declared to them in Mark 7:13 "You are making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye." Since Scripture alone is inspired, it alone is the ultimate authority and it alone is the final judge of Tradition.

The Word of the Lord says as a commandment in Proverbs 30:5-6:

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."

God commands that we are not to add to His Word: this command shows emphatically that it is God's Word alone that is pure and uncontaminated.

Aligned with Proverbs, the Lord's strong, clear declaration in Isaiah 8:20 is: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The truth is this: since God's written word alone is inspired, it and it alone is the sole rule of faith. It cannot be otherwise.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/ ... bible.html

I hope this helps, maybe I am not fully understanding your question. But from what I understand, when you acept Christ you want to be wholly and fully pleasing to him (not that you wont fall and make mistakes..) but that is the intention of a true christian, to be more and more like Christ. If something in your culture is acceptable but not acceptable to Christ, then continuing to do the cultural thing will cause you grief in your walk with Christ. Being a Christian is not just a religion it is a way of life. If you truly follow and embrace Christ you will not want to do anything that goes against the final authorotiy of God's word. Romans 8 Really gives you a good example of what the Bible thinks of this situation. http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/romans/romans8.htm

AMANZI, you may have answered my question. However, the cultural aspect of what makes us human is what I am in some disagreement with. I agree with you that you must totally immerse your self in Christ, but I don't believe one should shed his cultural background to fully embrace GOD/Christ. Nevertheless, I totally understand were you are coming from and have shed an enormous amount of light on this issue. THANKS..

[wxcrazytwo]

Amanzi - your answers are excellent. But I'm going to put myself out on a limb here for the sake of this conversation.

1. What does redeemed look like? Well, I don't know what it looks like but I know what it feels like. It feels like a peace that can't be contained - that has to be shared with everyone. Have you ever taped a football game to watch later, but someone tells you that your team won before you get to watch the tape? So when you go to watch it, you see the quarterback fumble the ball, and you start yelling at your tv....but then you remember....oh....we won anyways....and all the sudden you can forgive the quarterback for that mistake a little easier.

2. Can you be a Christian if you don't follow all the teachings of Jesus? Yes, I believe so. I'm not perfect and don't always follow the teachings of Christ. But I believe and accept Christ. I have the responsibility as a Christian to do my best.

3. And following the full values and practices of Jesus is something very few people have managed to do in an honest and genuine manner.

Yes, this is true. For all of us. And this is were I am going to put myself out on a limb. Not every Christian would agree with me that I did the right thing...they might think that I put my family at too much risk.....but that's okay....because what I do is not for everyone and no one is at fault for what they think they can handle.

Almost three years ago, my daughter met a boy in her dance class that was not a Christian - far, far from it. If anything, he was extremely angry at a God that he didn't believe in. My daughter and him became fast friends. He came from a terrible broken home....he lived with his grandmother and three younger siblings. His father worked offshore and rarely saw the kids. The only time his father would call him was to yell at him for doing something wrong - which increased on a daily basis and his home became a nightmare when he announced he was gay. Several years earlier, his mother abandoned all of them (and she abandon him at the tender age of 12! so it's not like he didn't know her!). This young man was extremely intelligent, a fantastic dancer, singer, and actor. He was also very, very arrogant. He was rude, inconsiderate, thoughtless. He lost friends just as fast as he made them. One night, he and my daughter were paired together for their high school recital. My husband and I watched a beautiful performance and afterward....we met our future son...Matt. We didn't know it at the time, but the Lord lead us in a direction we never saw. To make a long story short, I became aware of his plight and I called his grandmother and told her we had a spare bedroom, "Why don't you let him come over and stay for just a couple of weeks to relieve some of the tension in the house?" She gratefully agreed as he was beating on his sisters at the time. He never left.

We've had our wonderful, wonderful ups and terrible, terrible downs and I could certainly write a book. But the jist of it? I've never felt closer to God than to allow this non-Christian boy into our lives, into our hearts, into our family. He is not yet a Christian, and that will have to yet be his personal decision....I've given that part over to the Lord and tried not to worry.....but he's become an awesome outstanding loving person and we are proud to call him son. We love him so unbelievably - he is our own child. It is through this personal experience, this love we have for him that I understand how Christ loves Christians and non-Christians alike. I thank God for this unexpected turn in life. I am blessed.

*************************************************************

1. What does redeemed look like? Well, I don't know what it looks like but I know what it feels like. It feels like a peace that can't be contained - that has to be shared with everyone. Have you ever taped a football game to watch later, but someone tells you that your team won before you get to watch the tape? So when you go to watch it, you see the quarterback fumble the ball, and you start yelling at your tv....but then you remember....oh....we won anyways....and all the sudden you can forgive the quarterback for that mistake a little easier.

RESPONSE:

Well, redeemed in the spiritual biblical sense means to liberate from the results of ones sin and/or to better oneself. Redeemed is an element of a Christian sphere that means a lot and weighs heavily on every person that wishes to embrace Christ and his word. From what I have learned every Christian has a redeeming quality.

2. Can you be a Christian if you don't follow all the teachings of Jesus? Yes, I believe so. I'm not perfect and don't always follow the teachings of Christ. But I believe and accept Christ. I have the responsibility as a Christian to do my best.

RESPONSE:

No. A true Christian does not sway from the laborious task in embracing Christ and his word. You must totally immerse yourself in all that he (CHRIST) is. You must want to transform yourself in order to fully embrace Christ.

3. And following the full values and practices of Jesus is something very few people have managed to do in an honest and genuine manner.

RESPONSE:

I disagree. There a many Christians who have become true full blown stewards of Christ’s word. They are the ones that tediously work the missions in other countries to help the poor who lack the resources and understanding of Christianhood. It is the duty of every Christian to become evangelist of Christ’s gospel.

Yes, this is true. For all of us. And this is were I am going to put myself out on a limb. Not every Christian would agree with me that I did the right thing...they might think that I put my family at too much risk.....but that's okay....because what I do is not for everyone and no one is at fault for what they think they can handle.

Almost three years ago, my daughter met a boy in her dance class that was not a Christian - far, far from it. If anything, he was extremely angry at a God that he didn't believe in. My daughter and him became fast friends. He came from a terrible broken home....he lived with his grandmother and three younger siblings. His father worked offshore and rarely saw the kids. The only time his father would call him was to yell at him for doing something wrong - which increased on a daily basis and his home became a nightmare when he announced he was gay. Several years earlier, his mother abandoned all of them (and she abandon him at the tender age of 12! so it's not like he didn't know her!). This young man was extremely intelligent, a fantastic dancer, singer, and actor. He was also very, very arrogant. He was rude, inconsiderate, thoughtless. He lost friends just as fast as he made them. One night, he and my daughter were paired together for their high school recital. My husband and I watched a beautiful performance and afterward....we met our future son...Matt. We didn't know it at the time, but the Lord lead us in a direction we never saw. To make a long story short, I became aware of his plight and I called his grandmother and told her we had a spare bedroom, "Why don't you let him come over and stay for just a couple of weeks to relieve some of the tension in the house?" She gratefully agreed as he was beating on his sisters at the time. He never left.

We've had our wonderful, wonderful ups and terrible, terrible downs and I could certainly write a book. But the jist of it? I've never felt closer to God than to allow this non-Christian boy into our lives, into our hearts, into our family. He is not yet a Christian, and that will have to yet be his personal decision....I've given that part over to the Lord and tried not to worry.....but he's become an awesome outstanding loving person and we are proud to call him son. We love him so unbelievably - he is our own child. It is through this personal experience, this love we have for him that I understand how Christ loves Christians and non-Christians alike. I thank God for this unexpected turn in life. I am blessed.

YOU JUST HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE ABSOLUTE MEANING OF BEING A TRUE CHRISTIAN. YOU HELPED THIS BOY WHO LACKED THE RESOURCES TO FIND HIS WAY. YOU TOOK IT UPON YOURSELF TO OPEN YOUR HOME AND ASSIST HIM. YOU WERE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOU GAVE HIM SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE DONE. FOR THAT I APPLAUD YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE SHOWN A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT I AM LEARNING IN CLASS AND YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED WHAT IT TRULY IS TO “WALK WITH THE POOR.”

[Stellar Storm]

This is an excellent topic of conversation and I wish that I were in your class. I'd love to learn more and share more. Anyways, here's my responses to your responses - lol.


1. What does redeemed look like? Well, I don't know what it looks like but I know what it feels like. It feels like a peace that can't be contained - that has to be shared with everyone. Have you ever taped a football game to watch later, but someone tells you that your team won before you get to watch the tape? So when you go to watch it, you see the quarterback fumble the ball, and you start yelling at your tv....but then you remember....oh....we won anyways....and all the sudden you can forgive the quarterback for that mistake a little easier.

RESPONSE:

Well, redeemed in the spiritual biblical sense means to liberate from the results of ones sin and/or to better oneself. Redeemed is an element of a Christian sphere that means a lot and weighs heavily on every person that wishes to embrace Christ and his word. From what I have learned every Christian has a redeeming quality.

Response To Your Response (Hee!): Well, you have the definition right, and yes, EVERYONE (not just Christians) has redeeming qualities, yet, we cannot redeem ourselves (what need would there be for a Savior if we could do that?) but it does not weigh heavily on a person that wishes to accept Christ. In fact, it is just the opposite - I hand over the responsibility of sins to Christ who died for me when I ask for forgiveness and accept (without any strings attached!) that Christ died for me. Although people try to be "Christlike", in God's greatest wisdom, he knew that was impossible - that we would ALL fall short (even the ones that you think are Christlike), therefore, God planned from the very beginning (as evident in the old testament) for a Savior. If any one of us were able to achieve truly a Christ life, why would there be any need for a Savior? There would be no need - he'd just pick the best of the crop to live with him in heaven according to their deeds....but he wants ALL OF US. But sin is separation from God (I think that "sin" actually means "separation from God" but don't quote me per vatum (sp?). In Christ and his death for our sins....God's saying, "Here people, accept this...a gift to all...."

2. Can you be a Christian if you don't follow all the teachings of Jesus? Yes, I believe so. I'm not perfect and don't always follow the teachings of Christ. But I believe and accept Christ. I have the responsibility as a Christian to do my best.

RESPONSE:

No. A true Christian does not sway from the laborious task in embracing Christ and his word. You must totally immerse yourself in all that he (CHRIST) is. You must want to transform yourself in order to fully embrace Christ.

Response to Your Response: All I can tell you is that a true Christian accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Period. And as far as the judging of our works we do....well, the judging is up to God. I do not always follow the teachings of Christ - I've cursed, I've gotten angrier faster than I should, I've had road rage, I've been lazy, etc., etc. (my list is way too long) and THANK GOD that he did not put the burden on me to try to transform into Christ behavior at all times - I'd never make it (that's why I have a Savior.) I fully embrace Christ and everything he did for me and you. And true, the more I study, the better I feel and the more peace I have about my life because I do know the ending and it gives me great joy. But I will never be perfect.

3. And following the full values and practices of Jesus is something very few people have managed to do in an honest and genuine manner.

RESPONSE:

I disagree. There a many Christians who have become true full blown stewards of Christ’s word. They are the ones that tediously work the missions in other countries to help the poor who lack the resources and understanding of Christianhood. It is the duty of every Christian to become evangelist of Christ’s gospel.


Response to Your Response: Even though there are many people who have achieved a much better understanding of what it is like to follow Christ early in life and it shows in their endeavors, there are also people who will unfortunately live their entire lives doing wrong and will accept Christ on their dying breath. But their genuine, heart felt acceptance of Christ at that time is worth just as much to God as someone who spent their whole lifes following him. Why? Because he died for ALL. As a Christian, that pleases me very much. I want everyone to go to heaven. There will always be someone that follows Christ better than me, and I understand that if they are truly Christians, they're gonna want me to get to heaven, too, even though I don't lead my life as well as they do. However, it never means that I should not try my best. It's just that my best will always fall short...and, therefore, I have a Savior.

Yes, this is true. For all of us. And this is were I am going to put myself out on a limb. Not every Christian would agree with me that I did the right thing...they might think that I put my family at too much risk.....but that's okay....because what I do is not for everyone and no one is at fault for what they think they can handle.

Almost three years ago, my daughter met a boy in her dance class that was not a Christian - far, far from it. If anything, he was extremely angry at a God that he didn't believe in. My daughter and him became fast friends. He came from a terrible broken home....he lived with his grandmother and three younger siblings. His father worked offshore and rarely saw the kids. The only time his father would call him was to yell at him for doing something wrong - which increased on a daily basis and his home became a nightmare when he announced he was gay. Several years earlier, his mother abandoned all of them (and she abandon him at the tender age of 12! so it's not like he didn't know her!). This young man was extremely intelligent, a fantastic dancer, singer, and actor. He was also very, very arrogant. He was rude, inconsiderate, thoughtless. He lost friends just as fast as he made them. One night, he and my daughter were paired together for their high school recital. My husband and I watched a beautiful performance and afterward....we met our future son...Matt. We didn't know it at the time, but the Lord lead us in a direction we never saw. To make a long story short, I became aware of his plight and I called his grandmother and told her we had a spare bedroom, "Why don't you let him come over and stay for just a couple of weeks to relieve some of the tension in the house?" She gratefully agreed as he was beating on his sisters at the time. He never left.

We've had our wonderful, wonderful ups and terrible, terrible downs and I could certainly write a book. But the jist of it? I've never felt closer to God than to allow this non-Christian boy into our lives, into our hearts, into our family. He is not yet a Christian, and that will have to yet be his personal decision....I've given that part over to the Lord and tried not to worry.....but he's become an awesome outstanding loving person and we are proud to call him son. We love him so unbelievably - he is our own child. It is through this personal experience, this love we have for him that I understand how Christ loves Christians and non-Christians alike. I thank God for this unexpected turn in life. I am blessed.

YOU JUST HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE ABSOLUTE MEANING OF BEING A TRUE CHRISTIAN. YOU HELPED THIS BOY WHO LACKED THE RESOURCES TO FIND HIS WAY. YOU TOOK IT UPON YOURSELF TO OPEN YOUR HOME AND ASSIST HIM. YOU WERE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOU GAVE HIM SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE DONE. FOR THAT I APPLAUD YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE SHOWN A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT I AM LEARNING IN CLASS AND YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED WHAT IT TRULY IS TO “WALK WITH THE POOR.”


MY RESPONSE: THANK YOU! YOUR WORDS MEAN ALOT TO ME....BUT I HAVE TO GIVE GLORY TO WHOM IT IS DUE....WITHOUT GOD LEADING ME AND WITHOUT LISTENING (SOMETHING I'M NOT ALL THAT GREAT AT - HEE!), I COULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS BY MYSELF. I KNOW MY LIMITS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, SO DOES GOD. YOU KNOW WHAT IS AMAZING? THE REALIZATION THAT GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT US - THE GOOD AND THE BAD - AND HE STILL WANTS US ANYWAY - (ON A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER SCALE - JUST AS I WANT MY SON, MATT, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW ALL THE BAGGAGE HE BRINGS). ABSOLUTE LOVE.[/u]