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Things heating up !
Posted Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 9:18 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Things sure are heating up in the Middle East.
Iran and Iraq talking bombs going off .[more than usual]
Putin of Russia has declared himself prime minister. He is addicted to the power, I believe he will play a major part in the War of Gog and Magog that is foretold in the Bible.
This election will play a major part for whoever gets it and tries to split up Israel much less Jerusalem will trigger the end for some and the beginning for others.
It all has to happen same as the apostasy foretold , I pray that people come back to the faith of their fathers but the Bible says they will leave.
John McCain gets my vote for he knows that this war on terrorism has to be one at all cost for if they are not stopped now there will be another 911! He seems to have the only semblance of Christian morals of the ones running. Against homosexual rights. Wants to reexamine the abortion bill. Do something about immigration problems. Believes for a fact that this country was founded and should still stand on JUDEA-CHRISTIAN VALUES!!!!!
May the Lord bless and give John McCain guidance and wisdom and grant him the win in this election.
But if these are the END OF DAYS! then either Clinton or Obama will win and the world may never be the same.
I wonder how much land cost in Australia? just kidding my earthly home will always be my beloved USA. The only place I am going to is my Heavenly home ,whether that be the new heaven or the new earth on the new Jerusalem or wherever God may put me for my ticket is bought and paid for is yours?
http://onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.asp...
John Hagee would have my vote in a heartbeat.
Why when somebody speaks the truth it is called a hate speech .
He might of went overbord with the Katrina deal but God has destroyed cities before.
At least John did not turn down the endorsement and I applaud that and I applaud Pastor Hagee for standing his Christian ground .
Tell em' like it is Pastor Hagee !
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I like John Hagee. And he does tell it like it is. I'm sure in bible times when a city was destroyed there was some idiot trying to explain that away too. I'm sure others knew it was God and straightened themselves up. If they knew what was good for them. I would rather not have Clinton or Obama win either. What happened to Huckabee? He was my choice, but I haven't seen him lately. I've not been keeping up like I should. Huckabee was against abortion, gay marriage, everything. And he is a Christian! Don't hear that often.
Huckabee is still in he won't quit till the last vote is counted.
Annette 5,
Bush stood for the same things and look what happened? And I mean exactly the same things, he still states God told him what to do.
and I like Bush to
I agree with the both of you..I'm a John Hagee fan and he does tell it like it is. I will vote for John McCain because the other two just don't fit the bill.
How fitting Michael that you would support the anti-christ himself Mr.Bush.
The Antichrist is the greatest deceiver of all time. The Bible indicates he will even pretend to be religious. In fact, he will ultimately pretend to be God, and be worshipped as God half way through the Apocalypse. More than any other president Bush wears his religion on his sleeve - both for political gain, and to deceive the world. Presidential assistant David Kuo quit his post because he was convinced that Bush had deceived conservative Christians.
Bush says that God (rather than the Supreme Court) chose him to lead the nation, and he sees himself on a divine mission. Bush told an Amish group in Pennsylvania that "God speaks through me." Another story that ran in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz tells how Bush had told Middle East leaders that " God told me to strike at al Qaeda and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam [ Hussein], which I did"
What's important about these voices Bush is hearing, which are effectively telling him to go kill people, is that Jesus consistently taught his disciples to overcome evil with good, rather than with bombs and bullets and violence, and, "all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Mat 26:52)
It is eminently reasonable to assume that the voices Bush is hearing are not coming from God at all, but from Satan. It is also reasonable to assume that the devil does not desire peace, but war, death, and destruction. Why is it that when ordinary citizens hear voices telling them to go kill people, we lock them up for the safety of themselves and the community? Yet when Bush hears voices telling him to kill, many evangelical/fundamentalist Christians rejoice, and pretend he was chosen by God.
He is a member of a satanic cult known as the Skulls and Bones (FACT, and once a member always a member)initiates undergo torture, kiss a skull, press a human femur bone to the initiates backside, act out a throat slashing ritual murder, and they pledge allegiance to a figure dressed up as Satan. They are also compelled to relate their entire sexual history while masturbating in a coffin.
Bush had the name "Magog",because he had the most extensive illicit sexual background of all the new initiates. And of course, Gog and "Magog" are names directly connected with Satan and the Antichrist in Revelation (20:8).
Then there's the Bush family alliance with the greatest evil in history - Adolph Hitler. Bush's grandfather Prescott Bush, also a 'sk
ull and bones' man, got rich first by helping the Nazis come to power, then helping Hitler build the war machine that would decimate the world, and then even benefiting from Nazi slave labor and the extermination of millions of Jews. Auschwitz was built near coal deposits so that slave labor could be used in one of Prescott Bush's holdings, the Silesian American Corporation. Even after the US declared war on Germany, Prescott Bush continued violating the Trading With the Enemy Act, until the government finally shut him down late in 1942 - but not before making him rich, and establishing the Bush family as a power in American politics .
IT IS VERY FITTING THAT YOU OF ALL PEOPLE SUPPORT THIS PIECE OF TRASH!!
And just out of curiosity, ever wondered why 90% of all the worst natural disasters in America occur in the bible belt???? Maybe God is a little bit irritated at the so called "christians" like you preaching Hate and destruction in your name. You sir are no better than the ones at Westboro Baptist Church, matter of fact, you might as well go ahead and join them. And he didn't go overboard with Katrina...WE DID...I know that most of you don't believe in Global warming but it's real and it's happening so STOP BLAMING EVERYTHING ON GOD, I am sure he doesn't like that. New Orleans is no more sinful than any other town in America.
You are a evil hateful man. How can you say God is good, when you blame everything bad on him and turn others off from him. You aren't doing God any favors!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/world/...
Curiously, I read about your Putin hatred a little more. He backed a rival who is now President of Russia. This takes the power of the government and now there are two different parties that will vote on laws and policies, How is that different then our government? How is this some push to take over the middle east? It seems to me they are trying to fix their own problems.
I am curious why you pick out one part of something to make it some sort of prophetic notion that the world is coming to an end. The United States has done far more damage to the world then any other nation in the past 35 years then most have done in 500. Economically, Socially, and Physically we have eroded everything in the name of Democracy and Christianity.
When you shove a government and a religion down someones throat, 99% of the time, they throw it back up. (This is my new trademarked quote)
In fact, he will ultimately pretend to be God, and be worshipped as God half way through the Apocalypse.
-- Posted by Disturbia on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 3:57 PM
Bush the anti-Christ? With an approval rating hovering around 30% I don't see the worship thing working for him.
Michael,
You should probably do quite a bit more research on your candidate before you make yourself sound uneducated. You state that Senator McCain is "against homosexual rights" this is not true. Senator McCain supports legal benefits for same-sex partners. Besides that, what does homosexuality have anything to do with you? Its not your business nor the governments in the same capacity that the government doesnt have the right to tell you who you should worhip. Secondly you state that Senator McCain "wants to reexamine the abortion bill." I'm not sure where you are going with this but Senator McCain supports some forms of abortion to include those of rape victims. As tragic as a rape must be, what makes that child any less deserving of life than one not conceived by an act of rape? So sir before you think that your candidate is holier than though do a little research and save yourself the embarrassment.
AMEN tnguy!!!! Michael NEVER does quality research... And may I add, WHEN DID SHELBYVILLE GET IT'S OWN BRANCH OF WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH?
"I do not believe gay marriage should be legal," McCain repeated. "I do not believe gay marriage should be legal."
"But I do believe that people ought to be able to enter into contracts, exchange powers of attorney, other ways that people [who] have relationships can enter into," McCain continued.
Michael, PLEASE do yourself a favor and before typing a big "truth telling blog" that's full of Jesus you meet two preconditions. (1) That you provide TRUTH to back up your claims and (2) That you go back to Church and study your Savior a bit more... He is NOTHING like what you portray on these blogs, and if you think he is, you are sadly misleading a multitude of undeserving people.
And about the aboriton issue.. YET MORE PROOF that you have done NO research, and you choose to back a candidate, based on what some Religiously inclined website has brainwashed you to believe.
My sources are coming straight from the horses mouth...
McCain also said that while he didn't "believe we should discriminate against anyone in the workplace," he didn't "think we need specific laws that would apply necessarily to people who are gay."
McCain has been criticized by many for "flip-flopping" on issues related to gay rights and abortion.
"In 1999, the 'moderate' version of John McCain said that overturning Roe v. Wade would be dangerous for women and he would not support it, even in 'the long term,'" the liberal blog Think Progress noted. "This morning on ABC, McCain -- now aggressively courting the likes of Jerry Falwell -- expressed his unequivocal support for overturning Roe v. Wade."
Like Diana accused Obama of "saying and doing what benefits him"... What candidate doesn't??
If some gay person wants to give another one insurance or leave him some money that all fine and dandy bit to pollute the holy bonds of matrimony by promoting the sinful lifestyle of homosexuality is wrong.
McCain may not be perfect but he has better morals than the other two.
I could see abortion in case of rape or incest or death to the mother but that is the only reason.
My Saviour and the Saviour of the whole world I might add said he did not come to bring peace but to turn brother against brother and family members against family members which part of mine has turned against me, but I can live with that.
These are my views and not of anybody Else's and it is a shame that we should even be discussing gay marriage or abortion for even if I was a non - believer I would not support these two things.
I guess I would be liked and touted a all right person if I went with the norm and promoted the killing of babies and stood for the disgusting sight of two men or two women engaged in what God ordained for one and one woman to do.
IT AIN'T HAPPENING BROTHER!
You can do all the research you want to prove your points and I can do the research to prove mine.
I find proof that this country was based on Christianity and the Bible you find prof it wasn't.
You find proof for this subject I find proof to back me up.
I rely on faith and the BIBLE and that is Alli need!
I don't believe that we should of let the other God's that people worship over here but I can't change that now.
For that church in Columbia to let the Muslims who had their Mosque burnt down was totally wrong[it was wrong for them people to burn it down in the first place!]
But to let those people defile the HOUSE OF GOD and let them worship there not in my house or any church I might have someday.
Islam is not going to destroy America from the outside from within!
Bush may have done some bad things but he repented and I support what he has done while in office.
But then again if all things are preordained by God then he couldn't help but to do it.
I am not saying that the disasters of the world are for certain people like gays or abortionist ,but I believe they are warning signs for people to wake up and know that God is real and his Son is coming back.
In closing for the day if you are so disgusted with America and the Christians who live here I am sure some other country would love to have you live there.
I WILL NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND I WILL BE HEARD!
Whoever and wherever I can talk to about the immorality of todays society and keep them from doing them and making some of the mistakes I made I will.
My kids will will know what is right and wrong what they do after 18 is up to them but till then they will be taught the Bible an that is that.
That's nice.. Full of hatred... Just like Jesus would be right?
Bush may have done some bad things but he repented and I support what he has done while in office.
But then again if all things are preordained by God then he couldn't help but to do it.
-- Posted by michaelbell on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 7:50 PM
SO... As long as GOD ordains a sin to happen, then "he couldn't help but do it"... why isn't your attitude the same about homosexuality and abortion. Since, in your COMPLETE contradiction, George Bush had no choice but to commit war crimes, and play god by invading the privacy of American's..
I see, only when certain people do certain things, is it permissible, but when other certain people do other certain things, it's the end of the world as we know it. You are CRAZY!!! And, EXACTLY WHAT has George Bush repented of? Because to my knowledge he never admitted that he lied about the war, in fact he changed his story to "well the people needed freedom"... He never repented Michael, NEVER, if he had our troops would be home...
You are so far right it is deplorable, dispicable, and incapable of comprehension... Get a grip on the real Jesus, and then when you do, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me where he places blame on groups within a society, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me where he gave YOU the right to tell someone what sins are worse than others. When in fact, many things you call sin, is no sin at all..
One last thing, do you HONESTLY think Jesus would care if someone was raped, or molested? Do you think he would would "PREORDAIN" that? Do you think, it would be acceptable to MURDER the child JUST because someone was raped... Your willfully obvious ignorance is about as rampant as grass in a hayfield, and it's getting old!!!!!!!!
Obesity is the biggest causes of health problems in America.... I don't think homosexuality is. So next time, could you start posting on REAL problems facing America or would it be too difficult to look in the mirror first?
Let's play Jeopardy here...
**Politics for $1,000**
Answer: "He is addicted to the power, I believe he will play a major part in the War of Gog and Magog that is foretold in the Bible."
Question: Who is George Bush?
**Real Estate for $500**
Answer: Hmm, Much cheaper than land in America, would you PLEASE go!
Question: I wonder how much land cost in Australia?
**DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!!**
Answer: The only place I am going to is my Heavenly home ,whether that be the new heaven or the new earth on the new Jerusalem or wherever God may put me for my ticket is bought and paid for is yours?
Question: IF you are so sure, then why are you ruining it for everyone else? Just shut up and go, since you're obviously not worried about the trivial things...
I said if those things were pre -ordained which I don't believe they were the Bible says that Satan is the ruler of this age and I believe it.
And for your info I am not obese either
Rape incest murder or anything like that is not pre-ordained those are decisions made out of God's will.
Did God predestine me to drink and do drugs and shack up the way I did ,I think not. Those were decisions I made not God.
God don't make people do things that is why it is called freewill.
God knew that we would commit sin so he provided a way out, for the wages of sin is death and that way was and is Jesus Christ who paid for the sin of all mankind.
Whether you accept it or not is your choice.
I think the people of today's generation have been brainwashed on these cotton candy and fuzzy duck sermons that I catch on T.V.
Jesus is love and Mercy and grace and all that is good.
But God is a holy God and a just God who deplores sin and does not tolerate it.
That is why he sent his Son to the cross and the only thing that I know is
CHRIST CRUCIFIED!
CHRIST RESURRECTED !
PAID MY DEBT IN FULL!
We all fall short of the Glory of God , but one didn't and that one was Jesus Christ!
My views on abortion were taught to me by a Jewish Rabbi that I know on what is permissable for the Jewish faith and I go by that.
That is why he sent his Son to the cross and the only thing that I know is
CHRIST CRUCIFIED!
CHRIST RESURRECTED !
PAID MY DEBT IN FULL!
We all fall short of the Glory of God , but one didn't and that one was Jesus Christ!
-- Posted by michaelbell on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 8:35 PM
Think... How ironic is this statement and every condemnation you have EVER MADE... That Christ stuff you talk about, is for EVERYbody.. Not just you Michael, as you kindly mentioned in the next couple of fragments... So, since you supposedly think this way, try proving it.
It is for everybody but it does cost something.
ALL YOU HAVE!
ALL YOU ARE!
How can you profess life and support immorality?
That question is rhetorical... And oh how I noticed you didn't say anything about George Bush not repenting.... Supporting Illegal wars, Michael, isnt' very moral. And morality, is all dependent upon the interpreter. Some people have no problem accepting two consenting adults who privately love one another, while you on the other hand seem to have a HUGE closet in which you need to climb out of.
michael, thank you for leading them to the water but it is not your fault if they dont drink.
I'm confused.. What water did he lead us to? This is an online discussion, we're not standing by the creek.
That's nice.. Full of hatred... Just like Jesus would be right?
-- Posted by darrick_04 on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 8:00 PM
darrick 04
Why can't we get a little angry when we're standing for God? Everybody else gets upset when they're against something. Why can't we get angry when we are for something and feel strongly for it? Jesus was upset and turned tables over on the steps of the temple because the people were trying to use the temple for things it wasn't supposed to be used for.
I'm confused.. What water did he lead us to? This is an online discussion, we're not standing by the creek.
-- Posted by nascarfanatic on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 9:24 PM
Jesus is the river of life!!
Get angry all you want. Anger and hatred are two different emotions... It just turns people off to the whole religion thing. I am certain more people would be willing to give their life up for Christ when they don't have IMPERFECT human beings standing over them casting stones...
And as for Jesus being the river of life. Maybe, but when you lead people to the "river of life" by means of fire, it usually gets put out.
Anger? No, we are kind of laughing at the religious "shock and awe" type of BS that Michael continues to ramble on with. None of it makes any sense, he never is making any sort of point.
It's kind of telling a joke and there is no punchline. I asked a few questions earlier about what he meant and I got no answers and again, ignored.
Oh yeah McCain is so tough on immigration....In 2007, McCain co-sponsored controversial legislation with Senator Ted Kennedy known as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 which would have allowed tens of millions of illegal immigrants already in the United States a path to citizenship.
DO SOME RESEARCH FOR ONCE PLEASE!!!
and GOD LORD you are obsessed with homosexuality Michael, I really do wish you would come out the closet already. I was always told the guiltiest dog barks the loudest and you, sir, are barking VERY loudly. Or are you just that insecure about your own sexual identity that you find it neccesary in EVERY blog to bring up something that doesn't concern you?
AMEN... I honestly have forgotten why I even respond to his blogs... Because EVERYTHING he brought up and defended McCain for, was proven COMPLETELY untrue...
So, somewho he expects us to believe he has it right when it comes to Jesus. It is apparent that his relationship with the lord is a sad one. Because I've never seen someone so "full of the spirit" obsessed with negativity and bringing down others. He hasn't realized that his hate-filled predispositions are pathetic and renders completely ineffective. The only people you "win over" or "lead to the water" are the folks who already think like you.
You know Michael i could agree with some of your points about christ but then you want to get rude with those who differ in oppinion. We are all sinners whether it is stealing, telling lies to murder or homosexuality. My God says we should pray for others and be wittnesses each and every day. How can we expect non-believers to convert if we preach hatred. the answer is very simple we cannot. Yes, I do believe our Lord is not happy with our world today, but if you would calmly sit back and think about it, it truly is no different now than in the days of Christ. Sin is Sin and we will all be held accountableI may not be as well versed as you maybe not as intellegent but you said you teach your children the bible. If that is so then you would remember the story of Noah and how God sent a rainbow as a sign he would never destroy the earth with a flood again. I do not think God sent Katrina as punishment. We have no right to believe we are mightier than thou. Read James 2:10. We all stumble in some point so we are guilty of all. I personally am not going to worry about the end of times because I khow the Lord has saved me. Get off your soapbox, quit judging and try praying for those lost souls. I truly think that is what god wants from us. Pray and witness his glory not condemn!
I agree, we all falter somewhere.
End times doesnot worry me because I know where I am going .
It is the ones who don't know or who aren't sure I try to reach.
I don't condemn the sinners just the sins
I think the holy bonds of matrimony have been made a mockery a long time ago by heterosexuals before homosexuals even started asking for the right to marriage. I don't see anyone decrying Britney Spears hoping from one wedding to another or the fact that about 50% of marriages are ending in a divorce. It doesn't sound too holy to me . . . if it was then you would be advocating stronger measures for getting a divorce. But no, it is easier for some of the religious right to pick on homosexuals because they are a smaller minority. Being obese is a major sin but they allow overweight people to get married. Why is that fair? As long as they are two consenting adults and follow the law of the land, then anyone should be allowed to get married whether they are gay or straight. What right does anyone have to impose their religious beliefs on another person?
I believe in the bible and in God but I do not believe in some of the hate that some of these churches around here are promoting. It also floors me when I see certain Baptist churches promoting a political candidate like George Bush who definitely has not exhibited Christian-like behavior. Heck, how many middle class families are losing their homes or can't get adequate health care just because George Bush failed to see a problem. As a Christian, I would think we would want to help our fellow man but yet Bush doesn't want to have any part of that so he allows for gas to continue rising and keeps innocent children from getting adequate health care. Really, you should be ashamed to even call yourself a Christian if you support someone like Bush or any politician whether they be a Republican or Democrat who has acted in such a manner.
I have tried to keep an open mind and believe everyone ahs the right to their opinions and beliefs but sometimes you see hate and bigotry being paraded around as religion and unfortunately I a, afraid Michael has succumb to that way of thinking. I think he means well and tries to be a good person but unfortunately he believes and preaches a message that isn't consistent with Christ's teachings and that makes it a tricky subject with his posts. I hope anyone that read his post doesn't take his word to be the exact word of God and everyone should never believe only in the word of man . . . they should always real the bible and believe in what God has to say over the simple interpretation made by a man.
Also, some of the posters on here need to also step back and try and not turn this into name calling or arguing just for the sake of arguing. There is no need to call someone the "antichrist" just because he believes in something different than you. It is better to explain your difference of opinion and try and open serious dialogue then try to "call out" someone and resort to name calling. It doesn't make you the better person . . . you just lower yourself in the process.
The anti-Christ was referred to by Michael to begin with. And a poster attributed that honor and glory to Bush, not a local blogger... That isn't name calling, that is [based on what has happend and is happening] ironic.
I agree whole-heartedly with "jesuslives" and "jesuslovesevery1" as it seems they have spoken better than I did. Great ways to put it... And Michael, you can comdemn "sins" all day long, but until you become perfect nobody is going to listen to you. Just because you were once a drunk and a whore, doesn't mean you are perfect now. It just means those are two less sins that you act upon.
I just don't see how you think people who LOVE one another, WANT equal rights, and just want respect, all without forceful terminology or violence is a sin. I truly wished you would go back and REREAD that Bible you claim to know so much about... Get out of the Old Testament, which you say Jesus came and washed away, and start living in the New. Every topic you talk about is predicated by some inner-vilification you seek to place on people. That in no way is "Christ-like"...
I am not gay, but I am for EQUAL not gay rights... Until you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt why they shouldn't have them, please keep your mouth shut. I'll say it like this.. Some people are allowed one, two, three, or as many marriages as they want, and yet SOMEHOW gay's are going to ruin the institution of marriage. You are going after the WRONG issue. If you truly sought to protect the institution of marriage you would be speaking to straight peopel, WHO CAN get married, not GAYS who can't... If you truly want to stop abortions, well GAYS aren't likely to have one of those either... You just have a bone to pick and I don't understand why. You are so focused on belittling people who have done nothing but LOVE humankind. And yet all you want to do, is HATE.
I think fat people need to be placed in camps to help them lose weight. It is really placing the health care system into a tailspin.
Now before anyone goes off on me, think about the generalization I just stated above. How does it differ from anything else that is stated by someone else.
What gives YOU the right to condemn, you also are a sinner. There is only one perfect man that has walked this earth that I know of. You are helping to turn people from the Christian faith. Is that your purpose? I will pray for you and not CONDEMN you!
If you are referring to me, READ my last comment. And if you MUST type like THIS, try to UNDERSTAND the POINT I was MAKING.
hehe geesh, you jumped so fast on me, so funny. It was a generalization to show that anything can be made into something that can be looked upon as a hate-related motive.
Clearly, Michael has issues and he has to use Bible and insane prophetic insinuations to justify his meanderings of pure rhetorical lies. He doesn't understand words nor the definition and finds ways to twist them into a way that shows an underlying agenda. Of course, anyone with a brain and can see the difference in right and wrong could see that. But there are those out there to protect the name of Jesus would actually stand up for him. That is a shame.
Evil monkey if I was referring to you then I would have called you out. Thats the way I approach things. If you weren't so concieted a read the posts YOU would have realized I was talking to Michael. His post read " I don't condemn the sinners just the sins" So do not be so up tight.
Michael, I want to tell you a story. I want you to listen closely.
4 years ago my grandfather passed away, there were people at his funeral that I knew he cared nothing for. I didn't mention this to them and it had nothing to do with their morality he just didn't like them as people, but they never knew. He never treated them differently. Almost 30 years before that he had worked at Pepsi as a delivery driver, when his name was printed in the paper people from Pepsi Cola showed up. One man had been trained by him and just went on and on about how great a man he was. Never once in my 18 years had I heard my Papa mention this man, but I just listened. All of these people had a really high opinion of him. Like I said I know that some of them he didn't particularly care for. I am smart enough to realize that the ones (few & far between) that didn't care for him just didn't show up, and that doesn't bother me. Here is my point, when 9 out of 10 people genuinely like you as a person or for that matter even 8 out of 10 then you're doing a pretty good job at life. Even if you don't like them back. When 8 out of 10 people think you're a sorry S.O.B. it's not b/c they are all crazy. Most of that blame has got to lie with you, so before you go solving world problems solve your own. There are reasons you aren't well liked, fix them.
"Things heating up!"
Micheal, Reading what you have above; I've notice that you put alot of your thinking, and personal opionions in with things of the bible. And I believe this is why alot of posters argue with you, because they do not agree with your opinions and way of thinking, not against what is said in the bible.
Starting out into the ministry it is wise to have a mentor.
Get angry all you want. Anger and hatred are two different emotions... It just turns people off to the whole religion thing.
Posted by darrick_04 on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 10:30 PM
Are you saying Christians cannot get angry? We are humans too. You,disturbia,and Evil Monkey get angry everyday. Your turning me off to alot of things. God probably gets angry at things like this blog. He has every right to. He created us and everything in this world. You say Michael thinks he perfect and does not sin, but then you say christians shouldn't get mad because people will be turned off by that. Non-christians look for excuses, so if that's all they've got to complain about then so be it.
I'm not saying you should cast stones. What about the dress code? I think I've read you're against it. If you believe differently than someone else I don't see the problem with giving your opinion and even defending it. Does that make you a bad person? Not if you handle it correctly. There's a right and a wrong way.
Of course you can be angry and yes we all get angry, but there is a difference in anger and HATE and Michael spreads hate and thrives off of it. He doesn't spread the love of Jesus and God. All his blogs are filled with doomsday prophecies and hatred toward fellow man.....
Thankfully Michael is not a correct representation of a true loving christian. I would hate to think of all the people that he has turned off from God and Christianity. He puts no thought into his blogs, they seem to be rantings of a mad man, almost like those of the Westboro Church (as I stated earlier) he checks no fact and backs nothing up. He uses the same comment over and over again and answers no questions. IF God had truly wanted him to spread the word, don't you think he would atleast have some answers every now and then?
I don't see what Me, Darrick and Evil Monkey turn you off from Christiangirl, we aren't on here preaching things we know nothing about.
Just to summarize, I am not turned off by Michael's anger, I am turned off by his hatred and his using God to justify his bigotry.
And Laura, that was a beautiful story you left on here and a well thought out comment :) Your grandfather sounded like a great man.
jesuslives,
Sorry for jumping the gun, I hope you can accept my apology and forgive me.
Christiangirl,
I am never angry, I guess it is hard to see past a computer screen, but if you ever called me and/or talked to me in person you can see I am not angry about anything. I laugh alot more than type actually. I am a very happy person, but Michael really needs to take some heavy medication.
Get angry all you want. Anger and hatred are two different emotions... It just turns people off to the whole religion thing.
Posted by darrick_04 on Sun, Mar 2, 2008, at 10:30 PM
Are you saying Christians cannot get angry? We are humans too. You,disturbia,and Evil Monkey get angry everyday. Your turning me off to alot of things. God probably gets angry at things like this blog. He has every right to. He created us and everything in this world. You say Michael thinks he perfect and does not sin, but then you say christians shouldn't get mad because people will be turned off by that. Non-christians look for excuses, so if that's all they've got to complain about then so be it.
-- Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 2:13 PM
Obviously you can't read the statement I made... You even made a point to quote it, and you STILL missed the point... Anger and hatred are two different emotions. In fact I said "get angry all you want"... Hatred is what Michael bestows, pure blindfolded fear mongering. It is absurd. He gets nowhere with his rhetorical thoughts and ficticious depictions of the truth. I am not attacking you either for not being able to read, just recommended that before you make a comment, it does help to proofread.
just because I don't agree with abortion except in special circumstances and don't believe in homosexuality for any reason.
I do think that there should be a limit on marriages.
I am still a sinner and will be judged for what I do or don't do according to God's word!
Maybe it is because of my generation we were taught that abortion is wrong and being gay is sick.
I will stand my ground and protest the passage of gay rights that come up anyway I can.
A persons sins does have to be pointed out to turn them to Jesus!
You would be amazed at the people that don't see the harm in abortion or homosexuality.
I have a mentor and we agree totally he taught me that preaching is 95% pointing out a persons sins then 5% showing them how to turn from them.
I think to many people have been brainwashed by pastors like Joel Osteen and other preachers who are terrified of offending somebody.
And you have been brainwashed by Westboro Baptist Church. I have never heard of Joel Osteen, Michael I don't need some imperfect human being telling me or anyone else what is right from wrong. I have a conscience, and thank God for that.
When were you born? Because that will tell you alot about a person. But you can't blame your beliefs on a generation, or that just shows your opinions were swayed by society, not from inner conviction. It's obvious you don't get it.
Maybe those preachers you refer to aren't necessarily scared of offending people, they are terrified that everything they were taught to believe could be wrong. And that it is a distint possibility that them trying to cast stones, will land them right next to everyone they think is going to hell.
I notice how you continue to avoid the questions aksed by you, and give your same unwavering responses. I think god forgives ignornace, outright stupidity is a different story.
"I have a mentor and we agree totally he taught me that preaching is 95% pointing out a persons sins then 5% showing them how to turn from them."
Show me that in "God's Word"
Oh and tell your "mentor" he is a freakin moron.
Whatever!
Did Michael go to Westboro Baptist Church? Why do I keep hearing about this church? Where is it?
We will put some closure on these two subjects .
Abortion -don't agree, except for the three reasons I stated earlier
Homosexuality- don't agree at all when it gets to where it is taught in the public system as alternative lifestyle then I will be heard from again on it.
I will continue to write about Christian themes and current events like or don't like that is up to you.
Be Blessed!
It turns people off to the whole religion thing is the part I really wanted to focus on in my comment. I can read and I know the difference. Ya were the ones saying Michael sounds angry.
As far as abortion Michael, are you saying it's ok to kill a baby if the woman was raped? Why would that be ok?
If my dughters were raped before they were of afe I would leave that decision up to them .
My conclusions were based on what is acceptable according to my Jewish Rabi's friend research of the act of abortion.
When it comes to the three reasons I stated I think each person would have to seeks God's guidance and wisdom on that.
Wait a minute, You want a law passed to prevent choice. Yet, when it comes to your two daughters, its their choice? LOL Well...
Complete and utter HYPOCRITE...
My conclusions were based on what is acceptable according to my Jewish Rabi's friend research of the act of abortion.-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 7:12 PM
So your conclusion came from a "Jewish Rabi's friend?" What a substantial source.... LMAO! You just don't get how pathetic this is... Absolutely laughable. Keep on blogging dude, and everyone else will keep on proving your ignorance.
I meant a Jewish Rabbi friend of mine excuse the typo
It is my choice till they are 18 after that they would answer to God not me.
If my dughters were raped before they were of afe I would leave that decision up to them . -- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 7:12 PM
THEN..... you say this!
It is my choice till they are 18 after that they would answer to God not me. -- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 8:21 PM
Contradiction? Pure and simple! You have things so jumbled you don't even know when to say what.
if they were raped the choice is theirs if they got pregnant any other way , they would have it and raise it
You said:"John McCain gets my vote for he knows that this war on terrorism has to be one at all cost for if they are not stopped now there will be another 911!"
Hmm, can you remind me which president was in power when "9/11" happened? Oh, and what party does he belong to? Might I add, go ahead and remind me how much evidence he and his "administration" blatantly ignored... Then a year and a half later, conjured of complete lies, to wage war in a completely different country... Oh yeah.
You said:"But if these are the END OF DAYS! then either Clinton or Obama will win and the world may never be the same."
Of course the world would never be the same... An end to useless war, and violence will be much closer, hard-working, deserving American's will have a better shot at the American Dream. They will have adequate healthcare. Oh, and guess what the price of gas, milk, and other commodities may be reigned in, instead of continuing to rise. How is that such a bad forecast? I guess it is, when you've fooled yourself into believing all the current problems can be blamed on Hillary or Obama. Neither of whom, are the president now, and neither of whom belong to the party which has allowed these things to happen.
I am sorry for the typos, I guess the day has been longer than I expected.
You always talk about choice, what if your kids decided they did not like you and wanted a new set of parents do they have that right?
Does somebody else have the right to tell you that you can't spank your kids?
Face it we all have the values that we were raised up in and some that we acquire on our own.
I was glad to be a "drugged"Christian[drug to church every time the door was open}
I do my kids the same way so that the choice they make in life will be bible based and they have friends of the same beliefs.
I told my pastor tonight "it is funny, you talk about racing or a Ball game at work or sex or tell a dirty joke or have a dirty picture on your cell phone, you will draw a crowd and people will flock around you at break.
You talk about church functions or pull a bible out at break and read it , most people scatter.
At lunch I put on my headphones and pull out my bible, crank up the gospel music to drown out all the worldly talk and go into my own world.
If somebody comes to talk , it is going to be about Jesus or I will put the headphones back on.
Kinda of shows you where peoples priorities or morals are.
Haha, from my knowledge you don't even work.. And, secondly it is evident that on your break you do more than read a book and listen to music... ;) "Combo #1 biggie sized please!"
FYI I do work and have worked since I was 15 years old I may drive a reach truck where I work, but it pays the bills and also FYI ,I only weigh 250 if that is such a big concern to you.
It is not just a book either, its God's word and it would do you some good to!
So I've been told.. But, I have a hard time picking and choosing what to believe, ignore, and completely disregard. Plus, I'm not much on vilifying entire classes of people that have nothing to do with me, and never being able to fully justify it, ya know?
Hey nascar, look at what time you left that comment... OMG, you must support Hillary or Obama.
J/K ;)
If my dughters were raped before they were of afe I would leave that decision up to them .
My conclusions were based on what is acceptable according to my Jewish Rabi's friend research of the act of abortion.
When it comes to the three reasons I stated I think each person would have to seeks God's guidance and wisdom on that.
-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 7:12 PM
You know Michael, I took up for you, but now I'm hearing things that confuses me. Your saying it's your daughters choice to have an abortion yet you say you're pro-life. Then you're drawing your conclusion from a friend taking his word. Then you say you have to seek God's guidance and wisdom on abortion. After reading what you posted are you questioning anything you've said? Abortion is death or murder. Are you saying it's ok if your daughters seek God's guidance and kill their fetus if they're of age?
Sorry darrick and evil monkey for questioning you in the past. I was new and had to find out on my own.
Michael instead of listening to friends maybe you could research things for yourself, or at least say you did.
And for ONCE, I am agreeing with you. You finally noticed the contradiction... It is rampant! He sends such mixed signals, and can't make up his mind on what he believes. Oh but get ready for his response! It will look something like this:
"That is why he sent his Son to the cross and the only thing that I know is
CHRIST CRUCIFIED!
CHRIST RESURRECTED !
PAID MY DEBT IN FULL!
We all fall short of the Glory of God , but one didn't and that one was Jesus Christ!"
Key words being ".... and the only thing I know is..." LOL! Isn't it nice to escape looking foolish by using a scaepgoat.
Christiangirl, last thing... I am not hard to get along with, honestly. But when imposters come on here claiming to be some sort of mirror image of Jesus, and can't even look in a mirror and admit their own sins, I have a problem with that.
He's so focused on everyone else's sinning and lives that he has forgotten that the ONLY one he is accountable for, is his.
Please forgive me! Not all christians contradict themselves. That's why I've learned my lesson. "Don't jump in to an argument until you can see both sides of the story" or better yet stay out of it.
christiangirl,
Trust me, it confused me to no end at first, I kept asking questions and he never answered. The reason is, he had no answers. I thought he would have answers that I have been trying to find and he might have insight on where to look. And when I found out he was plain nutso on alcohol or something. No idea but it sure isn't normal.
Christiangirl, I forgive you. Hmm, has Michael EVER done that on these blogs? I would be skeptical to say, no?
I've said some things in the past, that I still believe, but went about it the wrong way. Sometimes God lets us know real quick where we need to be as Christians. I'm truly sorry for the way I've acted. Maybe when topics come up and we think we know what we're talking about we'll help each other instead of attacking.
Haha, from my knowledge you don't even work.. And, secondly it is evident that on your break you do more than read a book and listen to music... ;) "Combo #1 biggie sized please!"
-- Posted by nascarfanatic on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 8:50 PM
Regardless of which side of this argument you are on, a statement like this seems to be said for pure spite. Remembering back to a long ago blog I believe someone dubbed you nascarnut. I can see why.
When my kids are 18 the choice would be theirs not mine.
In case of rape they would seek God's guidance I could not make that for them.
NO it would not be O.K. if they did it when they became adults.
With today's laws I couldn't stop them from doing it.
I would hope that by being raised in a church and being taught that it is wrong that they would make the right choice .
With the way peer pressure is now and the world interfering with the way parents raise their kids who knows?
I can only pray that they would make the right choice.
What it boils down to is until I am put in that situation I won't worry about it.
When my wife was having the girls which are twins by the way, I was faced with the question of in case of complications during childbirth if I had to choose which would I choose and I told the doctor that the babies would have to be aborted.
With the grace of God I still have all 3
It would be murder of the babies but if I chose them the murderof my wife.
With prayer and faith I did not have to choose.
We wil all answer for our transgressions one day .
I just don't want things like rampant abortion or whats worse is partial birth abortion or rampant homosexuality running wild.
I guess I am a traditionalist.
Regardless of which side of this argument you are on, a statement like this seems to be said for pure spite. Remembering back to a long ago blog I believe someone dubbed you nascarnut. I can see why.
-- Posted by devan on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 9:59 PM
Gotta love how you ignore everything Michael says. It's fine though. I see you've missed the point. Not surprised.
I just don't want things like rampant abortion or whats worse is partial birth abortion or rampant homosexuality running wild.
I guess I am a traditionalist.
-- Posted by michaelbell on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 10:01 PM
And obviously still focused on everyone else's "sin". I don't see how your blogs will stop any of those things. Why don't you be an advocate for peace, love, tranquility, happiness, piety, counsel, wisdom, understanding, knowledge... I guess that's asking way too much. it's much easier to continually focus on the negatives, rather than seeing the good in people or seek to use the gifts of the spirit.
You shouldn't be surprised there Nascar....Devan ALWAYS misses the point. And FYI I love Nascar and nuts ;)
It would be murder of the babies but if I chose them the murderof my wife.
With prayer and faith I did not have to choose.
Michael, I'm glad you added the second part about prayer and faith, but I think I would have told that to the doctors. I would say "I'm not going to choose either way. I will pray about this and turn it all over to God and let Him handle it." It wouldn't be murder for your wife, it would be natural causes. Thank God he knew what was best and doesn't leave it up to us.
Nice try to shift the focus back to Michael. What you said was hateful so you are no better than him. That is the point.
Nice try to shift the focus back to Michael. What you said was hateful so you are no better than him. That is the point.
-- Posted by devan on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 10:11 PM
Being that Michael continually writes these blogs depicting ficticious thoughts as matter of fact, you should expcet the focus be on him. Duh.
Where are all these rampant homosexuals I keep hearing about??? Michael must go out of his way to find them.....has anyone told him how to find his way out of the closet yet?
When my wife was having the girls which are twins by the way, I was faced with the question of in case of complications during childbirth if I had to choose which would I choose and I told the doctor that the babies would have to be aborted.
With prayer and faith I did not have to choose.
You chose the babies to be aborted then you said you didn't have to choose.
Where are all these rampant homosexuals I keep hearing about??? Michael must go out of his way to find them.....has anyone told him how to find his way out of the closet yet?
-- Posted by Disturbia on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 10:14 PM
HAHA... Who knows? I have never seen a bunch of rampant homosexuals and rampant abortions. He is so scared of something that doesn't exist, that he'll do anything to scare us too.
Maybe when topics come up and we think we know what we're talking about we'll help each other instead of attacking.
-- Posted by christiangirl on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 9:55 PM
I totally agree.
When preaching "Gods" word, or the word of "God" you have to leave "self" out of it. Do not add to it, nor take away from it. It needs to come from "HIM".
So michael would have chosen abortion??? Welcome to the jumbled ramblings of a madman that needs some heavy medication. This man can't make up his mind. I thought abortion was murder PERIOD Michael, but it's not if it suits your best interest huh?
Would your wife be one of those facing the death penalty that you think should be put upon women who have abortions?
AMEN ladies!!! I hate to see his blogs reach such high numbers. I think he thrives on it. I have contributed a few thoughts but my goodness, I think he wants to sound out of touch with reality, just to see himself get the most responses.
Would your wife be one of those facing the death penalty that you think should be put upon women who have abortions?
-- Posted by Disturbia on Mon, Mar 3, 2008, at 10:20 PM
Of course not.. How ironic that when he talks about situations that ACTUALLY effect him, he defends it by claiming "god" will take care of it. Yet, when other people make a decision, they are horrible and should be put to death. SO CONFUSING!!!!
I had to decide just in case it reached that point.
I prayed the whole time from the first contraction till the last the sounds of crying.
Thank God !
I feel so much better! When you admit you're wrong or you apologize, it makes you feel like a million bucks. I think everyone should try this. Less stressful. Good night!
Focus on what he says and why you disagree with him - not on personal attacks. That being said, I apologize for the "nut" remark. I try to take my own advice when it seems appropriate.
My wife does not believe in abortion either and we reached that decision together , if it would of happened we would of ask for forgivness and went on.
So Michael, where are all these rampant homosexuals you fear???
And devan, apology accepted.
Christiangirl, I too would like to apologize to you, for anything that I might have said to "turn you away" from things....sometimes my mouth outruns my fingers :)
Well whereever they are, I want one, they fabulous fashion sense ;)
One more thing...then I'm going
So Michael you're saying that you can go out and commit any sin, knowing you're going to sin, and ask for forgiveness. I don't think that's what God had in mind.
AMEN!!!!!! Christiangirl, sorry for ever cross-examining you. You were new to the blogs, and have now become familiar with the nonsense we seek to end.
Disturbia I forgive you too!
Gee I feel like I stumbled in the confessions booth.. :>)
I've seen rampant abortions.
(Usually,the result of rampant heterosexuality.)
I'm wondering why there's all the talk about abortion and homosexuality and far less about personal responsibility,committed relationships,basic hygiene and a few other related issues.
Talking about the general issues of fidelity,promiscuity (and conducting oneself in a manner that is spiritually,physically and mentally healthy ) would seem to be more productive than singling out specific behaviors and groups.
If we promote the positive (Be Honest,Be loving,etc.),we won't have to list every conceivable misdeed or identify those we find guilty of breaking individual rules.
If we concentrate on the basic principles and recognize that we all can improve our behavior,then we can stop the politicizing and stop the blame game.
The general consensus in our current culture is that no one has the right to be careless of his own health or others' well-being.
That applies to sexual activity,driving a vehicle,keeping pets or countless other actions.
But,even those who make choices their society can't agree with retain the right to lead safe,free and dignified lives.
We infer from this country's most cherished documents that our rights come from our Creator.
That would indicate that rights cannot be given or taken away at the public's whim.
They belong to all of us regardless of who we are or how far we are from being our best selves.
If we accept that we all have rights and responsibilities,then we can hash out the matter of lifestyle and privileges with more respect and logic and less spite,selfishness and paranoia.
If we can work together and emphasize the "Do's", then we'll have more progress,fewer negative consequences from unkind acts and fewer clashes with one another.
It's easier to throw out a stunted plant or raze a building than to carefully bring it into being,tend to it faithfully and watch it become more beautiful with time.
It's easier to neglect a person (or find them not to your taste) and try to be rid of them than to think how they can be preserved and enhanced.
Whoever and whatever we fail to nurture is a treasure we don't get to enjoy.
Let's apply more hope and less hate and see what happens.
We are the world...we are the children... EVERYBODY...we are the ones who make a brighter day, so lets start giving...
Quantumcat, I couldn't agree with you more. Personal responsibility is soooo important, but I'm afraid we have raised a generation that expects "someone else" to fix whatever problem is at hand. The US is still a very giving society when disaster stricks and so we should be in those situations. The awesome response to the recent tornados here in Tennessee is a great example. We need to take that response and excitement back to personal responsibility and apply it to those issues of promiscuity and fidelity.
Some of my comments or blogs may have been done without complete research and I will do better.
I still stand my ground no matter what research I or anybody else comes up with .
If that makes me out to be a mad man so be it.
On the comment about seeking to end my "nonsense " as you call none of the comments you make will do that.
It might get stopped here but I will do it somewhere else.
According to God's law if you break one your guilty of all of them.
If any person before during or after Jesus that could have gone sinless then the death of Christ was for nothing.
Nobody is perfect whether in thoughts or deeds.
Only by the acceptance of Jesus and the admittance of the need of a Saviour and the asking of forgiveness guarantees salvation , this I have no doubt.
True repentance and the becoming Christ -like will earn you crowns of glory.
Habitual sin after salvation received will take away those crowns and you we be what I call a "part of the smoking saved"
When the angels or the pure in heart walk by and sniff they will say "you barely made it"
A persons goal is not only to get to heaven but to get as close to the "Holy of Holies" as he can I still have work to do I will admit.
I will do the number and research for my blogs since that is what some of you need.
The Cross is a stumbling block to the the Jew and foolishness to the Greek, but to the ones of faith it means everything.
FYI the metaphor here is the Jews are the religious world and the Greek are the educated world who try to explain it , I .just accept it
Michael,I think I know what you mean but sometimes you say it in such a way that people can pick your statements apart,grab a phrase and use it to distract from the essence of what you've said.
Example:
"I still stand my ground no matter what research I or anybody else comes up with .
If that makes me out to be a mad man so be it."
Notice how that looks when separated from "Some of my comments or blogs may have been done without complete research and I will do better." and "I will do the number and research for my blogs since that is what some of you need."
That quote could be twisted to mean "Don't confuse me with the facts. Even if I find out I've been wrong,I'll never admit it or change my ways. I'll stick with I've got now rather than take on the truth and go from there."
That would be a very normal,human tack to take but it is the opposite of what God requires us to do.
He expects us to walk away from our comfort zone in favor of a reality that might seem as appealing as cold,bleak Monday mornings when we're snug and drowsy in our warm beds.
But the wake-up call leads to far better things than our dreams.
You don't need to abandon your message or think that you will always be ignored,despised or misunderstood for "forth-telling".
Even if we don't always reach people's eyes and ears in a perfect manner,we can offer the Holy Spirit to reach their hearts.
After that,their response is up to them.
The people who try to correct you may not be your biggest fans but they are not your enemy.
Those with ears to hear will notice that all sides are pushing for truth and caring about people.
The real adversary would want those ideas set aside so that we could turn up our noses at each other and write one another off as lost causes.
Relax and let people get past what the author of confusion has tried to set up.
When it becomes apparent that we aren't to be speaking and acting for God so much as He's to be speaking and acting on our behalf,then our Word will communicate more powerfully than our words ever could.
Micheal,
You have taken some pretty big hits on your blog by tackling some very hefty topics. Take this for what it is worth but John Wesley once said "But as to all opinions which do not strike as the root of Christianity, we think and let think." We are all going to have our own opinions of some scripture based on how we were raised, and the church we attend. Wesley lived in a time in history in which there was a great deal of conflict within the church, and also a time when the common folks "us today" were looking for that holiness you mention. Holiness of heart and christan perfection is what we all as christians should be striving for. All of us as christians need to be firm on our faith, but we need to make sure we are strengthening the Body of Christ and not weakening it by our witness.
Michael, you can't make someone, even your own children raise their children. That's not how the world works. Secondly, I realize that you have taken what you consider to be a "stance" on these topics but your unwillingness to hear other views is why people are picking you apart. Everyone's been wrong before, including you, including this blog. I, too, have never seen these rampant homosexuals you speak of. I do know that like quantumcat said rampant HETEROSEXUALITY is the cause of each and every abortion so don't try to correlate the world's decline with homosexuality and abortions. We all know that two homosexual men or women will not bear a child completely their own. Try again. I really do wish that you would take some of the advice given to you, really, your problems don't start with homosexuality and abortion unless you are the product of an abortion gone wrong by a later found out to be lesbian mother. Your problems are much bigger than these issues. They are YOURS and you need to fix them. There is a reason 80% of the people on here don't ever want to read your blogs (me being one of them), it's not b/c we're all crazy.
Oh and one more thing, if I ever found out that my husband had been given the choice to choose me or our children and he chose me he would be in a world of trouble!
Thank you,Sharon.
We need to lose the smugness,laziness,cynicism and sense of futility that discourage us from even trying.
We get tempted into thinking no improvement can be made (or should be made) or we get convinced that other people have the means of making things better and we don't.
Despite what we find in the news or in end times prophecy,there are still ways one person's choices can make a difference.
There are still ways we can band together to build the foundations for the world we want to live in.
It may sound corny but that determination to "do the right thing" extends from the smallest act in our personal lives to the biggest issues our world faces.
We have to believe we can make a difference before we can "be the change we want to see in the world."
Thank Heaven,we don't have to be superheroes,saints or geniuses to do some good with our lives.
We just have to risk applying all we have to what needs to be done-and we need to believe in the people around us along with our Maker and ourselves.
Fortunately,we tend to give it a shot when disaster strikes.
Unfortunately,we don't all get involved nor do we do that much participating in everyday life.
We seem to do more Hell-raising than constructing a Paradise.
But we have the materials to do just that-if we follow the plans and provide the sweat equity.
People are so caught up with whether "God made Adam and Eve-not Adam and Steve" that they forget God didn't create Eden for a Dick and a Patsy,either.
God judges our relationships on our brains and hearts more than our plumbing.
(We tend to exercise our spleens more than anything else,anyway.)
Can we look at what we do more than the race/gender/species/whatever of who's doing it?
Can we look at what we do more than the race/gender/species/whatever of who's doing it?
-- Posted by quantumcat on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 8:36 AM
Exactly my point.
When reading the rantings of Michael's blogs, I thank God that I was fortunate to have a strong biblical education to insulate me from this nonsense. I am thankful for the christian edcation that I recieved from lay educators at Sunday School, but more thankful for the Bible classes from college that taught ancient languages, history, and context of the 1st century church from which the New Testament sprouted. I would hate to know I was sucked into the world of biblical literalism and ignorant fundamentalism.
As a child as well as a young adult in college, I was taught scripture from a conservative point of view. As an older adult my education was stemmed in a more liberal tradition, so I have been exposed to broad spectrum of thought. Thank goodness I learned to think for myself, consider circumstances, to not pass judgement,and to enjoy my faith in a civilized manner without the belligerence expressed here.
On a positive note, your blogs did have me reading, and searching in my bible more than normal. : )
As a Christian I have contemplated a lot as to whether or not I wanted to put my thoughts in this blog. I think I see both sides and while I do not consider myself to be on the fence I somewhat agree with both sides.
Michael, you stated earlier that preaching is 95% pointing out a persons sins then 5% showing them how to turn from them. Would this be the same for a plain ole Christian too? Is it my job to go around telling everyone who is doing wrong that they are sinning?
I read a church sign once that said "You may be the only Bible that some folks ever read" and that has stuck with me. As a Christian I am very, or at least try to be, tolerant of others and their choices because it is THEIR choices they're making and not mine. We all have to answer for our own sins and I know when that time comes I'll be plenty busy with my own sins to worry about the guy sitting next to me. Now, with that being said, I feel like it's my place to show the world Jesus and his mercy and love and forgiveness. It is not my place to judge someone who has made mistakes or to even point them out. I don't need anyone pointing out my sins to me. God does that very well by giving me a conscience.
I don't agree with the homosexual lifestyle but I think a sin is a sin is a sin so those practicing homosexuality isn't any lower on the totem pole than me who is in a faithful loving marriage. I sin daily as do you and everyone else on this earth. To say their sins are worse than mine puts me in God's seat and I don't know about you but for me that is one place I am very unworthy of.
Abortion. Wow that's a full hefty bag there! I was like you and dead set on abortion being wrong until two things happened. One, I have seen the pain women who have had abortions go thru and instead of being angry with abortions I feel very sorry for the women who have felt that abortion was the only way out. For most, and I'd say probably 99.9% of women who choose abortion it is a painful excrutiating decision. To harp on these women and tell them they're going to hell when their sin is equal to mine is wrong. This is a choice these women must live with their entire lives and we should be loving on them and showing them God's mercy instead of hate and judgement.
Two, my daughter is one of those cases where if she were to get pregnant then it would kill both her and the baby. She had complications after her first baby but wasn't diagnosed till she was in very serious danger after delivering her second. Because she isn't 21 her insurance will not pay for her to have permanant surgery so she is doing everything medically possible to not become pregnant until she can have the surgery. If the unthinkable were to happen and she were to become pregnant a very serious choice would have to be made (by her of course.) I am a christian and fully believe in God but I would be lying if I said I would not be supporting abortion in this matter. You can say I'm not fully trusting in Him but until it's your daughter you can't know.
I pray it isn't ever your daughter but my point is until you've been in the shoes of some of these people making the decisions they're making and living the lifestyle their living you have no right to say anything.
And even if you were in those shoes you still have no place to judge and tell them they're going to hell for the choice they made.
That choice isn't up to you.
DannysGal,
Very well said. I do believe modern medicine is a heavenly gift, to be used reasonably. It is fully imperative that the life of the mother be protected, as oftentimes there are other children in the family that must be cared for. As far as trusting God for a favorable outcome, God has sent his answer. It is modern medicine.
We are the world...we are the children... EVERYBODY...we are the ones who make a brighter day, so lets start giving...
-- Posted by mathman on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 12:41 AM
That's so funny! I laughed so hard when I read this comment. Now I'm gonna have this song in my head the rest of the day. good one!
Dannysgal and gottago,
I read both of your comments and I like them very much. And I can honestly say, I guess I went too far in some of my way. But I do step back alot more than I used to. Basically because I knew it was going on deaf ears.
Gottago,
I am curious did you major in theology or was that more of passion courses you took for electives? I notice all of the courses I took as electives I recieved 3.85 or higher in. Even they were harder classes, I found them 10 times more interesting than English or Math.
EM,
Undergraduate major was biology and chemistry, but I was at a christain university for a while so at least one Bible class was required per semester, but sometimes I would take an additional. When I transferred to a public university, I took a couple that were offered through the philosophy department. The different approaches and theories were wonderfully stimulating, and the classes left me wishing that I was independently wealthy enough to never take any practical graduate classes, but to find a nice theology program to play in.
You know, I think we think alot alike, it is refreshing. I have started to really enjoy biology, but I am more getting into my own field.
Gottago, do I know you? Because I am pretty sure I do... If not, please forgive me for asking. If so, welcome aboard!
The Christian University and Biology and Chemistry had me wondering if I know you. ;)
I really like what you have to say,gottago.
It's good to know that there are people who studied theology and such for fun.
Too often,anything that's not simple and practical is dismissed as a boring waste of time.
I took every Bible,history,sociology,psychology and philosophy class I could manage.
(This was so long ago,I had Hypatia for math class and had overdues from the Library of Alexandria. ;> )
Now,I wish I'd learned more just so I could keep up with the people on here.
In my day,I've chatted with theologians like Rosemary Reuther,Georgia Harkness,Francis Schaeffer,Dave Hunt and Josh McDowell and met Viktor Frankl,Huston Smith,Malcolm Muggeridge and Walter Martin.
The folks here have me feeling out of my depth (again).
It's great to have as many people as possible to learn from.
I'm not as impressed by the "book learnin'" as I am by the insights and the fact that these bloggers even care about these discussions.
You got to chat with those people? Lucky, I could only imagine the discussions.
As good as they were lecturing,they were a lot better just talking as people.
Frankl was very shy and came across as arrogant to some who didn't notice how frail and weary he was.
Martin,Hunt and Smith were just like their public selves.
Georgia Harkness was very ladylike and had great depths.
Reuther,Schaeffer,McDowell and Muggeridge were a HOOT.
They didn't seem aware they were these great icons.
As different as they were,they were fascinated by God and the realm of ideas.
They thought broadly and deeply with great humility and a sense of awe and delight that they could share what they'd learned of God and apply it in His world.
They gave better sermons in living their concepts in everyday things like having a glass of juice,buying a book or tape or watching the rain come down than in debating or lecturing from a podium.
I loved the lecture halls and class rooms but the quads,student unions,cafes and bookstores were even better.
Derrick04,
I don't mind your asking. I am not sure if our paths have crossed. I have just recently moved back to Shelbyville, after living in the Boro for 4 years. But during that time I did work here in town for a couple of hours twice weekly, so we may have met then.
Alright ; )
I have a real problem with the government or the president deciding on the rights of the individual. The constitution indicates that WE are ALL equal under that law and for the government to decide what is right for one group is unconstitutional. I believe that we should not tinker with something that has worked so far. We women have the right to vote and now there is a woman and a black man running for president. We do need change. We need to get away from the good old boys who feel they have the right to say who can marry, who can work, and who can have health care. Mr Bush has made me ashamed to be an American. I did not think that would ever be possible. He has ruled in favor of torture, in favor of corporate America, and in favor of ignoring the poor and those that need help. He tells the poor fools that listen to him that God is telling him what to do. I cannot believe that the God I worship would be in favor of letting the poor wallow in their poverty, the sick go without care and the incarcerated be tortured and humiliated. That is not my God, now maybe Mr. Bush is listening to another god, but not the God I know. As far as the Democrats go, who is the idiot behind the fables that democrats are not moral, responsible, human beings. People are always making fun of the Clintons as an example. Just because Mr. Clinton made a mistake, Mrs Clinton handles it and stays with him and all of a sudden she is condoning his behavior; the same mouths that speak poorly of her tell abused women and women whose husbands cheat to "forgive and stay by their man." People can't have it both ways--either it is right or wrong to stay by a cheating husband. It is either right or wrong to condone misbehavior from a spouse. Not right AND wrong. Personally, I would have left him and had him castrated, but that is not the point. The point is, she is doing what is right for her and her family. Her daughter is a lovely young woman and loves both her parents and maybe Hillary thought more of her daughter's feelings and not wanting her to have to choose sides. Hillary has dealt with it for her self and her family and moved on and so should we.
I would be more concerned with Mr. Obama's relationship with his church. If you check out the church's website,(just google -- Obama's church) you will find that it is ALL black and has no intentions of including white people. It mentions Africa that the members have an allegiance to, but no mention of America. I have no problem with that regarding their church,they can believe who they want and what they want in that church. But this country is a mixture of all races and so we should look at this exclusionary church with some questions and ask these questions of Mr. Obama and not stop until the questions are answered.
I think that the separation of church and government is needed. We have had eight long years of a president whose rhetoric is peppered with his interpretation of God's will and I personally have had more than my fill of this. I want a president that will only say, God Bless America and then really run the country that includes equality for ALL. I hope that all of you will vote for a president that will include all people when making choices for this country -- not just the privileged few. I think it is ironic that many of the people that are pro-bush or pro-republican are poor and underprivileged and have been totally silenced even when their opinions are worthy of being listened to because only the very wealthy have a voice for this president and his party. A true Christian would be weeping for the underprivileged in the country, not upping the gas prices so only the wealthy can drive a car. Pretty soon, all of those who make $10/hr. will be riding bicycles and walking while the wealthy drive by and splash our clothes with dirty street water. Take a good hard look at this country's new leaders. Are they talking about economy, the war that is costing all of us in tax dollars into the billions not to mention the thousands of young men and women killed and injured. Are any of these young people Bush or Cheney's young'uns? I don't think so. Are they southern boys and girls, you betcha! Pay attention, God is not behind this war. But some are making a bundle on it and it isn't the poor. Look at gas prices and profits. Is Bush into the oil business? Yessiree, he is. Did he know the Bin Laden family...yes, he did. His father entertained them at his home. So, how about Cheney, big business in his corner and he still rakes it in with Haliburton. Don't for one minute think that those two bozos don't make money on this war.
The only ones suffering are the poor and the underprivileged mothers and fathers losing children to a hellish war that wasn't needed in the first place. We have been lied to and controlled by his antics and he is still wanting more control with all of these American Patriot BS Acts. Watch out...plan your votes carefully.
You raise interesting points,grannyapple.
As for errant spouses,I guess I'd choose to respond as I did with my other pets when they went AWOL and misbehaved.
Castration as needed-but not as a substitute for proper training.
With discipline and love,even the intact can go off-lead without harm.
If they lack good judgement and think they can act any which way with no consequences,then they're going to define "freedom" as a self-detruct mode that takes down others in its wake.
They either learn to control themselves or get ruled by someone who'll do it for them.
I'm not going to claim kin with them and then ignore my responsibilities.
I hope I'd "stand by" by repairing whatever let them run wild,letting them know what their boundaries were,insuring that they had all the play and freedom they could handle and,in addition to what they'd need for survival,I'd give them security,a sense of purpose and unconditional love.
I'd not have them re-homed or put down until I was sure I couldn't keep them or others safe with them around.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your post Granny Apples... Absolutely amazing!!!!
Thats my mom.
YAY!!
She's a savvy lady-and her offspring ain't bad,either.