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Desensitization of America Pt.2Posted Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 8:17 AM
Those of you who read these blogs know what my main topic has been, but they can almost all be grouped into what I can call the moral fall of America, that started with the 60's and the drug use, free love and the start of Secularism.
Prior 1960's this country was a Bible believing and a Bible following nation, it was built on the foundation of God and family, one man married to one woman and their children, this is not the case now. Granted Christians are not perfect, not by a long shot, crime rate, divorce rate, sex scandals, in other words, we are no different, except that we know we need a Saviour and we accept Jesus and what he did on the Cross! Being that 6 is the number of man according to Jewish teachings, this makes logical that man's time would take hold in the 60's, the drug use went to new heights and is still climbing, people selling, stealing and killing whatever and whoever they have to for their next fix. The abortion issue was tackled in the previous blog. Next to the attack on God and the Bible, the attack on the foundation of the American family is the most dangerous attack on any nation, for it is the building blocks. God stated "one man and one woman" yet people want to change that to whatever makes them happy, as our constitution states. There has to be a limit to what will be allowed in the pursuit of happiness. The Homosexual Agenda as it has become to be called is a hot topic with the Prop.8 deal in California to the case of Matthew Shepard which was awful. There are several more I could mention, but you get the point, it is A Culture War that will have to be dealt with! If they give them[the homosexuals] all the rights they want is one thing but to say that we[Christians] have to accept it and cannot speak out against it is denying our rights. Schools teaching acceptance of the gay lifestyle should not be done as Religion is not because of the powder keg it could ignite. I have read of schools teaching the gay lifestyle and their form of sex to students in sex-ed, not my kids! Obama put either a gay or a gay supporter in charge of "faith based grants" what is up with that? People are being sued for not providing services because of their beliefs, pastors are being jailed in parts of the world for speaking out against it, any remark against it in the media is dealt with fines and other penalties, such as the remarks of the Hawaii football coach. I guess what is most disturbing is the number of pulpits, on the national and local level who are bowing down and cowering for fear of retaliation or worse, a lighter wallet or a empty church and not preaching what the Bible states and that Homosexuality is a sin, not a alternative lifestyle! They just choose to say nothing at all and that is almost as bad as accepting it. Seems like stats and facts are the rage these days, these are stats for facts[truths] are lies to some and truths to others, Jesus stated in God's word that "I am the truth" and Pilate responded with "what is truth?" That is where the rubber meets the road, to me the only truth is Jesus Christ and the Bible, to some those are lies and myths, for me I build my life around it, if it is a myth [which it isn't] after I die I ain't lost nothing but if it is true[which it is] and you have not accepted his free gift of salvation, then you have lost everything! These are the stats, just the stats. The Statistics on Homosexuality and its Effects Catholic Apologetics International http://www.catholicintl.com/news/news.ht... Some statistics about the Homosexual lifestyle: * One study reports 70% of homosexuals admitting to having sex only one time with over 50% of their partners (3) * One study reports that the average homosexual has between 20 and 106 partners per year (6). The average heterosexual has 8 partners in a lifetime * Many homosexual sexual encounters occur while drunk, high on drugs, or in an orgy setting (7) * Many homosexuals don't pay heed to warnings of their lifestyles: "Knowledge of health guidelines was quite high, but this knowledge had no relation to sexual behavior" (16) * Homosexuals got homosexuality removed from the list of mental illnesses in the early 70s by storming the annual American Psychiatric Association (APA) conference on successive years. "Guerrilla theater tactics and more straight-forward shouting matches characterized their presence" (2). Since homosexuality has been removed from the APA list of mental illnesses, so has pedophilia (except when the adult feels "subjective distress") (27) * Homosexuals account for 3-4% of all gonorrhea cases, 60% of all syphilis cases, and 17% of all hospital admissions (other than for STDs) in the United States (5). They make up only 1-2% of the population * Homosexuals live unhealthy lifestyles, and have historically accounted for the bulk of syphilis, gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, the "gay bowel syndrome" (which attacks the intestinal tract), tuberculosis and cytomegalovirus (27) * 73% of psychiatrists say homosexuals are less happy than the average person, and of those psychiatrists, 70% say that the unhappiness is NOT due to social stigmatization (13) * 25-33% of homosexuals and lesbians are alcoholics (11) * Of homosexuals questioned in one study reports that 43% admit to 500 or more partners in a lifetime, 28% admit to 1000 or more in a lifetime, and of these people, 79% say that half of those partners are total strangers, and 70% of those sexual contacts are one night stands (or, as one homosexual admits in the film "The Castro", one minute stands) (3). Also, it is a favorite past-time of many homosexuals to go to "cruisy areas" and have anonymous sex * 78% of homosexuals are affected by STDs (20) * Judge John Martaugh, chief magistrate of the New York City Criminal Court has said, "Homosexuals account for half the murders in large cities" (10) * Captain William Riddle of the Los Angeles Police says, "30,000 sexually abused children in Los Angeles were victims of homosexuals" (10) * 50% of suicides can be attributed to homosexuals (10) * Dr. Daniel Capron, a practicing psychiatrist, says, "Homosexuality by definition is not healthy and wholesome. The homosexual person, at best, will be unhappier and more unfulfilled than the sexually normal person" (10). For other psychiatrists who believe that homosexuality is wrong, please see National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality * It takes approximately $300,000 to take care of each AIDS victim, so thanks to the promiscuous lifestyle of homosexuals, medical insurance rates have been skyrocketing for all of us(10) * Homosexuals were responsible for spreading AIDS in the United States, and then raised up violent groups like Act Up and Ground Zero to complain about it. Even today, homosexuals account for well over 50% of the AIDS cases in the United States, which is quite a large number considering that they account for only 1-2% of the population * Homosexuals account for a disproportionate number of hepatitis cases: 70-80% in San Francisco, 29% in Denver, 66% in New York City, 56% in Toronto, 42% in Montreal, and 26% in Melbourne (8) * 37% of homosexuals engage in sadomasochism, which accounts for many accidental deaths. In San Francisco, classes were held to teach homosexuals how to not kill their partners during sadomasochism (8) * 41% of homosexuals say they have had sex with strangers in public restrooms, 60% say they have had sex with strangers in bathhouses, and 64% of these encounters have involved the use of illegal drugs (8) * Depending on the city, 39-59% of homosexuals are infected with intestinal parasites like worms, flukes and amoebae, which is common in filthy third world countries (8) * The median age of death of homosexuals is 42 (only 9% live past age 65). This drops to 39 if the cause of death is AIDS. The median age of death of a married heterosexual man is 75 (8) * The median age of death of lesbians is 45 (only 24% live past age 65). The median age of death of a married heterosexual woman is 79 (8) * Homosexuals are 100 times more likely to be murdered (usually by another homosexual) than the average person, 25 times more likely to commit suicide, and 19 times more likely to die in a traffic accident (8) * 21% of lesbians die of murder, suicide or traffic accident, which is at a rate of 534 times higher than the number of white heterosexual females aged 25-44 who die of these things(8) * 50% of the calls to a hotline to report "queer bashing" involved domestic violence (i.e., homosexuals beating up other homosexuals) (18) * About 50% of the women on death row are lesbians (12). Homosexuals prey on children. * 33% of homosexuals ADMIT to minor/adult sex (7) * There is a notable homosexual group, consisting of thousands of members, known as the North American Man and Boy Love Association ( NAMBLA). This is a child molesting homosexual group whose cry is "SEX BEFORE 8 BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE." This group can be seen marching in most major homosexual parades across the United States * Homosexuals commit more than 33% of all reported child molestations in the United States, which, assuming homosexuals make up 2% of the population, means that 1 in 20 homosexuals is a child molestor, while 1 in 490 heterosexuals is a child molestor (19) * 73% of all homosexuals have had sex with boys under 19 years of age (9) * Many homosexuals admit that they are pedophiles: "The love between men and boys is at the foundation of homosexuality" (22) * Because homosexuals can't reproduce naturally, they resort to recruiting children. Homosexuals can be heard chanting "TEN PERCENT IS NOT ENOUGH, RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT" in their homosexual parades. A group called the "Lesbian Avengers" prides itself on trying to recruit young girls. They print "WE RECRUIT" on their literature. Some other homosexuals aren't as overt about this, but rather try to infiltrate society and get into positions where they will have access to the malleable minds of young children (e.g., the clergy, teachers, Boy Scout leaders, etc.) (8). See the DC Lesbian Avengers web page, and DC Lesbian Avengers Press Release, where they threaten to recruit little boys and girls. Also, see AFA Action Alert. The homosexual agenda. * The homosexual agenda includes desensitizing the public: "The first order of business is desensitization of the American public concerning gays and gay rights.....To desensitize the public is to help it view homosexuality with indifference instead of with keen emotion. Ideally, we would have straights register differences in sexual preferences the way they register different tastes for ice cream or sports games....At least in the beginning, we are seeking public desensitization and nothing more. We do not need and cannot expect a full 'appreciation' or 'understanding' of homosexuality from the average American. You can forget about trying to persuade the masses that homosexuality is a good thing. But if only you can get them to think that it is just another thing...then your battle for legal and social rights is virtually won" (25) * Part of the homosexual agenda is to get the public to affirm their filthy lifestyle, as one homosexual admitted in the October 1987 homosexual rally on Washington: "We are no longer seeking just a right to privacy and a protection from wrong. We also have a right -- as heterosexual Americans already have -- to see government and society affirm our lives" (27) * Part of the homosexual agenda is to turn people from Christianity: "The teaching that only male-female sexual activity within the bounds and constraints of marriage is the only acceptable form should be reason enough for any homosexual to denounce the Christian religion" (1) * Homosexuals knowingly lied (and still lie) about the 10% figure (i.e., homosexuals make up 10% of the population). As Tom Stoddard (formerly of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund) said, "We used that figure when most gay people were entirely hidden to try to create an impression of our numerousness" (17). The true number of homosexuals. * The Kinsey study of 1948, which homosexuals often cite to say that 10% of the population is homosexual, actually says that only 4% of the population is EXCLUSIVELY homosexual. This study involved a disproportionate number of people who had been in jail for sex crimes (hardly a random sample of the population). Kinsey also did perverse studies involving young boys and pedophiles. Information on Kinsey * Current research shows that the true percentage of homosexuals is in the 1-2% range (15,23,26,28). Consider how small this number is when compared to most of the numbers above. Homosexuals aren't discriminated against in employment, so why should they be a protected class? * The average yearly income of a homosexual is $55,430.00 (most of which is disposable because no children to take care of!). The average of the general population is $32,144.00. The average of blacks is $12,166.00 (24) * 59.6% of homosexuals are college graduates. 18.0% of the general population are college graduates (24). Too bad they aren't smart enough to listen to God. "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22) * 49.0% of homosexuals hold professional/managerial positions. 15.9% of the general population hold such positions (24). Where's the job discrimination? Sexual Orientation * A phrase that has come up recently in this earth is "sexual orientation." This is a phrase made up by homosexuals to try to make themselves look less filthy than they really are. The purpose of the phrase is to take the spotlight from what these perverts do, and put it on the notion that they are just poor, mistreated people, who simply are attracted to members of the same sex - as if they aren't engaging in activity forbidden by God Almighty. "Sexual orientation," as used today, has nothing to do with sexual activity (yeah, right), but only refers to who or what a particular person is attracted to. If you think that people of other "sexual orientations" are just fine, let's see what other "sexual orientations" you would necessarily have to accept as wholesome and pure. If you're not going to discriminate based on "sexual orientation", then you must not discriminate against any of the following. Bestiality, pedophile, necrophilia., exhibitionism, fetishism, frotteurism, masochism, sadism, transvestitism, voyeurism. If you discriminate against any of these, you're a hypocrite. These "sexual orientations" are generally known as "paraphilias", and are mental disorders - just like homosexuality used to be. http://www.conservapedia.com/Homosexuali... http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20i... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news... These are my views and I accept the criticism that I get from them, but in my humble opinion if it is not dealt with and marriage kept between one man and one woman kept as the foundation that America was built on as with any building it will crumble and decay into just a pile a rubble and a distant memory. Before it is said I know that Christians are always called hypocrites, and that is all fine and dandy, but take this to heart and rethink: The word hypocrisy comes from the Greek ὑπό'ρι--ις (hypokrisis), which means "play-acting", "acting out", "feigning" or "dissembling"[2]. The word hypocrite is from the Greek word ὑπ*'ρίτης (hypokrites), the agentive noun associated with υπ*'ρί'*"αι (hypokrinomai), i.e. "I play a part." Both derive from the verb 'ρί'ω, "judge" (»'ρί--η, "judgement" »'ριτι'ή (kritiki), "critics") presumably because the performance of a dramatic text by an actor was to involve a degree of interpretation, or assessment, of that text. The word is an amalgam of the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning "under", and the verb "krinein", meaning "to sift or decide". Thus the original meaning implied a deficiency in the ability to sift or decide. This deficiency, as it pertains to one's own beliefs and feelings, informs the word's contemporary meaning[3]. Whereas hypokrisis applied to any sort of public performance (including the art of rhetoric), hypokrites was a technical term for a stage actor and was not considered an appropriate role for a public figure. In Athens in the 4th Century BC, for example, the great orator Demosthenes ridiculed his rival Aeschines, who had been a successful actor before taking up politics, as a hypokrites whose skill at impersonating characters on stage made him an untrustworthy politician. This negative view of the hypokrites, perhaps combined with the Roman disdain for actors, later shaded into the originally neutral hypokrisis. It is this later sense of hypokrisis as "play-acting," i.e. the assumption of a counterfeit persona, that gives the modern word hypocrisy its negative connotation.[wikipedia] A actor never intends to be the role he or she is playing it is just a role or job. I and I hope most Christians intend on becoming the role that the Bible lays out for us. Be Blessed! Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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I may not approved of the gay lifestyle either, but, at least they are not out creating other life whom we may end up having to take care of.
Usually, they are educated and finacially well off and can adopt a child created out of heterosexual sin.
true, but one sin does not condone another just as in King David, the sin of lust, led to adultery and then murder, two wrongs don't make it right.
Boring...boredom...bore...boring...BORING!
I did not intend to make it exciting or to glamorize it, just stating my Biblical opinion.
I am sorry Michael . . . but this whole post is nothing but GARBAGE! It is sad that you sow the seeds of hate so much and focus so much on a group of people instead of using compassion and reasoning to understand the world around you.
It is easier to simply hate than it is to look at the true meaning and underlying mechanism of any situation and use that to not only educate yourself but those around you. It saddens me that you have chosen the simple path of hate and ignorance and are using God's word to spread that message. God may be against homosexuality but he is the only one who knows the true hearts of any individual and it is for him only to decide . . . NOT YOU!
Michael, I applaud your column on this subject. I am a Shelbyville native (CHS class of 1964), and noticed the changes taking place. I remember prayer and the pledge of allegiance in school each day; if someone did not wish to participate in the prayer, they only had to tell the teacher and no one said a word. To me it meant a calm, peaceful, patriotic start to my school day. It gave me hope and encouragement. Since those days, I've noticed an increase in crime and violence, drugs, the breakdown of families, and the disrespect of human life, from conception to natural death. It's become the "ME" generation. My time in history was not perfect, but it was better than today. When God was taken out, evil came in! God should be the center of our life, because he is the source of all power and direction.
There was a story about a man who got married and had two little boys who are now 6 and 8 years old, He came home one day and told his wife he was tired of living a lie and he wanted become a woman, so he goes and gets a sex change. Now his wife is married to a woman and she has to explain to a 6 and 8 year old that daddy didn't want to be a daddy anymore he wants to be a mommy. So now the kids don't know what to call daddy and the wife doesn't know whether to stay married to a person who isn't the man she married. How could anyone screw up 3 peoples lives anymore then that.
I felt so bad for the kids, it was heart wrenching to listen to them being interviewed.
there is a whole lot of that kind of perversion going around, people think that their choices only effects them and no one else, your comment proves otherwise, thanks for your input.
What a waste of space here Mr Bell. One has to wonder why you are so consumed by the homosexual theme. Why not use this blog for good instead of constantly bashing a group of people. You are not the judge of these people. Move on and talk about something constructive for a change,
Christianswillwin,
You, sir, are no christian.
We don't usually agree on issues, gottago, but on this one I will have to strongly agree. I think he must be one of those "christians" that they were talking about in the news article on the Department of Homeland Security and TBI speakers.
I do not support or condone white supremacist of any kind, they have their rights same as anyone else, but as a stand by my convictions which true Christians must do, homosexuals are not a race, but a lifestyle choice.
Chef I do not consider WHAT I do as a waste of time, theses blogs are my convictions which I will stick by.
How many people claim to be Christians, drink to fit in, do drugs to fit in, sleep around to fit in , cuss to fit in, and just flat out live anti-Christ just to fit in?
People don't know what a true Christian is at times because they[Christians] will compromise their convictions to fit in, I for one will not!
Some feel convicted by different things and that is fine, some aren't that is fine to.
The abortion, homosexuality , and other issues fall in to the same category, either you accept them or not.
I was raised up believing that a man and woman living together was wrong, well for 3 years I compromised my convictions until the Holy Spirit reminded me what I was doing was wrong so I left that lifestyle, I have quit drinking, doing drugs and am still working on a few others for which I will overcome, is this what gets me to Heaven?, By all means NO!, ONLY THE SAVING GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST DOES THAT!
You have to stand to stand for something or you will fall for anything[Aaron Tippin] as for me I stand for God Family and Country, and all three will be in harmony with the BIBLE! Thank you and have a good day!
christianswillwin, I have to agree with gottago and devan. You are a retard. I do realize it is not your fault though, I'm certain your mom and dad are as well. I just hope the inbreeding stops with you. Make a difference!!
Mr. Bell:
Let's not forget that homosexuals can repent and leave their strange flesh relationships and be at Peace with God on His terms also.
Just as you repented from your fornicating sin so can the homosexuals repent from their sin and be forgiven.
Pray they may see the blessed light and abandon their abominations before it is everlasting too late for their precious souls.
memyselfi,
So cruel!
Where would the blame lay for you if so pondered?
the sin washing blood is always there to wash any sin away.
Yes, but only if you can get them to see they need washing.
What a difficult job the Holy Spirit has at bringing conviction when the world teaches these strange flesh relations are okay.
Mr. Bell:
Be thankful it has not got bad enough yet for God to burn your town down and name it Sodom because of this sodomy.
Fruits,
The term 'sodomy' came from the story of the town Sodom, not the other way around.
Cruel? Maybe it was.
I have pondered just that on many occasions, and have come to the conclusion that if the blame for me had to be assigned, it would lay directly at the feet of people who share the same narrowly slanted view of the world as does christianswillwin.
Forgive me if I misunderstood the purpose of this blog. I assumed it was a blog for bashing and insulting other people who disagreed with you, as that is what it appeared to be. At least I didn't advocate his death. I just wanted him to forgo, or at least limit, his reproduction as a consideration to others. As a wrote, I doubt it is his fault, and I do wish his parents were not so closely related, but even I understand that society can only be handicapped within certain limits.
A true masterpiece of hate. Real nice.
Mr. Bell, I don't support, nor do I condone homosexuality in any way. However, did you forget that your bible commands you not to judge, or did you just conveniently skip over that part?
If you keep this up Michael, the homosexuals in hell are going to have some very interesting company.
I am not judging, just discerning, the biblical judges, had the authority to execute the ones they wanted to. The Biblical judges dispensed justice I do not.
If we are to not jugde,then throw our legal system out the window for it would be a joke.
michaelbell,
It's one thing to believe homosexuality is wrong or a sin, but some of the things you posted on this blog go way beyond that. It is the kind of nonsense I would expect to read on an extremist or hate group website, not a Christian blog.
"Homosexuals account for half the murders in large cities"
Give me a break. Tell me you don't really believe that.
"the homosexual should be stoned to death.the slow death of aids is no longer GOOD ENOUGH they want rights the only right they deserve is to die a horrible death."
-- Posted by christianswillwin on Sun, Aug 2, 2009, at 7:22 PM
That is the type of person you are appealing to, michaelbell. Is that what you want?
I cannot help who comments on this or any other blog, this blog is open to whatever comments, they do not bother me,I expect it.
If the TG sees fit to remove one or several that is their right, I have not nor will I ask them to remove somebody.
Nathan, to say that it is a hate filled blog, hate means to love less or to detest something and my Bible says to detest or hate what God hates and that is sin, so if you want to call me a hater so be it.
those stats were not from hate filled websites ,but several different ones , who are all reputable, one sided maybe, but then again, that is the side I am on.
No matter how you look at it, no matter how much the world tries to influence your thoughts on it, never forget what the serving apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6 about it. He was instructed and taught by the resurrected Christ.
9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
It is never too late to get washed and start the process of sanctification on the way to receiving a glorified body for the kingdom of God.
Pray the Holy Spirit will bring conviction before it is everlasting too late for their precious souls.
May the Holy Spirit continue to work through you Mr. Bell to spread the Good News of the washing Blood.
I hope the Good News in the video below lifts everyone up in the way it does me this bright sun shiny morning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9oW91Iv8...
Amen fruits of the spirit
Michael, you claim to "hate" the sin and that is what you admonish but unfortunately your posts do more than that. You incite fear and hate against a group of people which is wrong and not the true act of a real Christian. I am a firm believer in your right to voice your opinion and to your beliefs just like everyone else has the right to do so also. Unfortunately though when people do such, they don't consider the actions their words may cause and thus we have people like christianswillwin who are one step away from a hate crime.
My opinion is this . . . you can disagree with a person and what you believe is their choice of lifestyle but you should never treat a person or talk about them as though they are less than human and unfortunately many of your blogs do that. Jesus went out among the worst of sinners and washed their feet and went among them and preached the word and showed them love and what true Christianity is all about. God does not look too fondly on those who consider themselves better or more "Christian" than others because that is for him to decide. So many times we see Christians spend so much time and effort criticizing the actions of other while not looking at their own faults and shortcomings. I think if we spend more time looking to improve ourselves then that will be a light for others to follow.
Just a thought . . .
Michael you keep using the word "discern" when referencing sins in others.
Discern -- to perceive something obscure or concealed: detect 2. Recognize or comprehend mentally 3. To perceive as separate and distinct; discriminate
Judge -- to pass sentence upon; condemn 2. To determine or decide authoritatively after deliberation 3. To appraise with discrimination, as an expert
Perceive -- to become aware directly of through any of the senses 2. to take notice of ; observe 3. to become aware of in one's mind; achieve understanding
Second College Edition of The American Heritage Dictionary, 1985
Based on my understanding of the three words I have defined above; at best Michael you perceive things, not discern things. If you are condemning a sin and advocating different treatment for people who have that sin, then I think you are trending towards passing sentence upon these people and therefore maybe without meaning to judging them as well as the sin.
I do not normally post in this blog. Those that post and I agree with have said what I would, so my words are not needed. Those that I disagree with do not want to read my perspective and if they do, it just leads to name calling and insults.
However, this time, I feel I must speak out after reading "christianswillwin". Michael, your "discerning" has opened the door for a man to justify in his mind the possibility of violently attacking schools that he believes aren't following the "godly path." If I remain silent then I, by my silence, am condoning his threat against innocent children who may be in that school. If I speak out, I will be called an "anti-Christ."
How will you feel Michael, if this person acts on the words they have written here? Will you wash your hands as Pilate did? Or will you realize that your words have caused done this harm. When someone threatens schools, they threaten the innocent.
Michael, you must consider that you are putting words out there that people you do not know or understand will read. Your want your words to be perceived as bringing people closer to God. Without meaning to, in this case, I believe you have put schools and those that attend them in harm's way.
I hope John does not just delete these person's comments. I hope this person is noted and monitored for none of us will forgive ourselves if something were to happen to our children because you opened the door for this person to justify his actions.
Michael, it is not necessary for you to respond to this post, I want you to think about it.
Michael, choose your words more carefully. Nowhere in any dictionary can I find a denotative definition of hate as "to love less". The word detest does appear and there is a world of difference between loving something less and detesting something. Your words allow some people to rationalize their hatred by saying, "It's okay I'm just loving it less." Love is a beautiful, kind and forgiving emotion: hatred is none of those things and we should not teach it as such.
Michael writes:
"...hate means to love less or to detest something..."
Hate -- feel animosity towards or hostility; to detest or feel dislike
Like -- inclined to disposed to
Love -- a strong affection for or attachment to another person based on regard or shared experience or interests
Again from American Heritage Dictionary
Michael, choose your words more carefully. Nowhere in any dictionary can I find a denotative definition of hate as "to love less". The word detest does appear and there is a world of difference between loving something less and detesting something. Your words allow some people to rationalize their hatred by saying, "It's okay I'm just loving it less." Love is a beautiful, kind and forgiving emotion: hatred is none of those things and we should not teach it as such.
Michael writes:
"...hate means to love less or to detest something..."
Hate -- feel animosity towards or hostility; to detest or feel dislike
Like -- inclined to disposed to
Love -- a strong affection for or attachment to another person based on regard or shared experience or interests
Again from American Heritage Dictionary
Wow! Interesting site. Amazing what you can find googling today.
amalphia -
The inspired writers of the Bible were a little before the American Heritage Dictionary.
Perhaps there is a Jewish Heritage Dictionary that would help you understand how the ancient Greek and Hebrew texts got translated.
The blog author is most correct in it's meaning.
Hope I don't appear as rude but could not help commenting on this interesting blog site.
fruits of the spirit -
That video made our day also.
My Blessed Assurance comes from the perfect Sacrifice that shed that Blood at the cross.
Although the life is in the blood and it was indeed unsparingly shed, the promise of the Father was fulfilled 3 days later when the Son came forth out of the tomb.
Spread the Glorious News!
Death lost its' sting.
You are correct "Blessed Assurance" the Hebrew language has no comparative sense. However, I do not believe there are any Talmudic Scholars participating on this T-G blog (although, I may be mistaken.) Hence, I will restate my position that Michael should choose his words carefully. If he means to say he loves sinners less than the righteous, then he should say so. Using ancient translations and using the word hate in that context opens the door for misinterpretation of his message.
Here is a quote from a site that discuss the use of the word hate in the Bible. I especially like his closing comment,
"Even if one were to take this 'hating' verse literally, a semantic twist would have you back where you started. For, Jesus tells us that our enemies will be the members of our own family, yet we are also taught, "love your enemies"! (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27,35) "
(http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/lovehate.htm)
Blessed Assurance, I am glad you stumbled upon Mr. Bell's fruit basket. I hope you feel at home here. I imagine you will, as there are a couple of other fruits around here that bear a striking, even uncanny, resemblance to yourself. I just wonder what you must have been googling when you came across it. Hmmmm.
most people forget the Jewishness of Jesus , he never directly spoke to the Gentiles, if you read the Bible from a Jewish perspective, he was telling the Jews to not judge or they would be judged.
The Jews were of the opinion that since they were of Abraham they they were above all and all the rest were dogs, Jesus just stated they they[the Jews] were no better that the Gentiles.
Salvation is open to all, how it must please God to have children who want to obey him that to have those who are obligated under law to obey him, but still fail.
I do not use the English dictionary for the Bible, I use the Strong's Concordance.
Welcome and God Bless Blesed Assurance, your input is welcome and needed.
(http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/lovehate.htm)
-- Posted by amalphia on Mon, Aug 3, 2009, at 4:21 PM
amalphia -
A careful reading of the link you posted actually verifies blog author Mark Bell's accuracy of his Biblical use of the word. Very good link. I enjoy accuracy.
memyselfi -
I hope you are not using the word fruitbasket in a negative sense in reference to the authors work.
It seems Biblically based and refreshing. I hope your heart is sound in the Blessed Assurance offered to you from the Greatest Act of Love.
Yes, a careful reading of the article supports Micheal's use of the word hate - if you are familiar with ancient Hebrew. Strong's Concordance is also a fine tool for trying to understand the intent of the words as they were first used.
You fail to grasp my main point - we are not scholars or students of ancient Hebrew and therefore will apply the modern day definitions to the words that Michael writes.
A good Pastor understands to whom he is speaking and chooses his words carefully so that the one hearing those words may understand clearly the message. The use of ancient and obscure definitions may be erudite, but it clouds the message. Plain speak, in language and words as they are defined in today's world might help Michael make his message more clear.
You also failed to address the writer's closing comment; we are admonished to Love our enemies. I guess that would include sinners. I don't have to accept or embrace what someone is doing to accept them as members of the human race and children of God - my brothers and sisters. It is our Father's job to guide them. All I can do as a sibling is to set a good example.
As Jaxspike wrote, Jesus walked among the sinners, shared meals with them and never once in my limited understanding did He treat them any different than non-sinners. He showed by example and with love, a better way to be. I am done with this, as the subtle twisting of words has begun and it gains us nothing.
You also failed to address the writer's closing comment; we are admonished to Love our enemies. I guess that would include sinners
Posted by amalphia on Mon, Aug 3, 2009, at 6:47 PM
Most assuredly we are to love the sinners. That is after all what Christ came to save. The lost sinner.
However, we can not simply forget what he told us sinners. Chief among the topics were repentance from sin, not a continuance or wallowing in it to satisfy self.
If we were drowning in Lake Sin I think rescuing would require a welcomed pulling out of the water? Surely diving in deeper would not be the answer, would it?
Thank God for His beautifully devised plan of rescue from the Lake of Sin.
As Jaxspike wrote, Jesus walked among the sinners, shared meals with them and never once in my limited understanding did He treat them any different than non-sinners.
Posted by amalphia on Mon, Aug 3, 2009, at 6:47 PM
amalphia -
You promted a very serious question:
When has a non-sinner existed???
Only one has ever came with a righteousness of His own.
Jesus never separated mankind into groups of either sinners or non-sinners. He knew all were sinners and fell short.
There was a group though who separated mankind into groups of sinners and non-sinners. The Pharisees thinking they had worked and obtained their own self-righteousness are the ones who labeled Jesus' dining companions as sinners while thinking they were different.
Perhaps that is causing the confusion and prompting you to use the non-existant word of "non-sinner"?
blessed:
I'm glad you enjoyed the video clip. It got me going in the right direction this morning with the kids. I believe it stated it was a Menonite choir singing it.
memyselfi:
You seem bitter.
Have you never experienced the wonderful Fruits of the Spirit?
My prayer tonight is for you to receive freely and abundantly.
I know what my opinion on this blog is and what my opinion on homosexuality is, so I'm not going ot really comment on that. However, I will comment on Mr. Bell's choice of statistics.
Most of them come from Catholic and other religious organizations. Of course these statistics are going to be slanted against homosexuals. If you're going to quote statistics, please find a more secular source, especially one that will not slant the statistics in your favor. If you do that, your information will be more accurate, and people will be more likely to take you seriously.
Hate only serves to destroy the hater Mr. Bell. I'm quite sure that if your child were to announce that he/she were gay you would no doubt take a kinder tone such as we are ALL children of a living GOD and each deserving of his mercy and grace. Not one to be loved more than the other. If I might say so Michael, you are exactly the the type of self proclaimed "christian" that drives most people AWAY from church. Your "holier than thou" attitude does not serve God or your fellow man very well at all. After all, when it comes time for those who are without sin to cast the first stone Michael, your pile of rocks would be useless, unless of course your "skeleton closet" is empty.
first off I don't claim to be secular, so those sources do not suit me, same as a secular person would not use Christian sources to prove his or her point.
Second, my children feel the same way toward these issues as I do, and I am not "holier than thou" or anyone else for that matter, I just have discovered the only way to salvation.
Grace is not a license to sin so don't use it that way.
Those of you who read these blogs know what my main topic has been, but they can almost all be grouped into what I can call the moral fall of America, that started with the 60's and the drug use, free love and the start of Secularism.
Prior 1960's this country was a Bible believing and a Bible following nation, it was built on the foundation of God and family, one man married to one woman and their children, this is not the case now. Granted Christians are not perfect, not by a long shot, crime rate, divorce rate, sex scandals, in other words, we are no different, except that we know we need a Saviour and we accept Jesus and what he did on the Cross!
Posted by michaelbell on Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 8:17 AM
I fail to see how Mr. Bells' above first two paragraphs of his authored subject "Desensitization of America Pt.2" can be so misunderstood.
Or is it the stepping on of toes that produce the ouches that are heard when it is understood?
Is it a case of understood or misunderstood?
Mr. Bell:
America has indeed been desensitized. Great subject matter.
As usual Satan was again "subtil" in accomplishing this.
Years ago he started with the beginning to accomplish the end.
Genisis 3
1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
......shortly thereafter.....
13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
There was a quote from the movie "The Usual Suspects" that applies here I believe:
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist."
Michael,
When you are attempting to convince an audience of your viewpoint, you have to use unbiased sources. One who uses sources that are so clearly biased simply does not want to learn the truth, and only wants to reinforce current beliefs.
However, I doubt if you were given proven valid and reliable statistics you would consider them if they disagrees with your viewpoint. Unfortunately, it is people like you that give the perception that all Christians are ignorant and stubborn and unwilling pursue real knowledge.
It seems the statistics stated by Mr. Bell are readily available and published by a multitude of reliable sources whose primary function is to gather information.
Perhaps it is much easier to cry "biased source" than to debunk the already proven?
Until proven otherwise the standing source always has to prevail.
But above all else remember that there is a great Hope to help escape being part of the statistics if the desire is there to be washed.
Why would I use secularsources to prove the Bible or vice-versa.
There is no more non-bias anymore, you are either on one side or the other.
the websites that promote the agenda are biased for them.
MSNBC, Fox, CNN , All the news agencies get accused of being biased, some for Obama some against.
I caught a commercial early this morning where a woman overheard the comment "that so gay" from a group of teenage boys in a cafe and she got all bent out of sorts and scolded them for it.
Do I get mad when the word, hick, Redneck, hillbilly, or bumpkin is used towards me? No I do not. Gay means happy!
It seems the statistics stated by Mr. Bell are readily available and published by a multitude of reliable sources whose primary function is to gather information.
-- Posted by Blessed Assurance on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 11:36 AM
No, the "stats" stated by Mr. Bell are hate-mongering distortions from people whose primary goal is to incite hatred and dehumanize a certain group of people.
For example, several of these statistics are attributed to "Fields, Dr. E. "Is Homosexual Activity Normal?" Marietta, GA" as footnoted one of the links michealbell posted. Here is a biography of Dr. Edward Fields, a prominent neo-Nazi:
http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/Fields.a...
Do you consider him to be a reliable source? I'm sure michaelbell's Jewish friends would disagree.
I cannot vouch for all the sources.
The main sources that say it is wrong is Paul[ the apostle]and some guy named MOSES, that is as reliable a source as I need.
Here is a biography of Dr. Edward Fields, a prominent neo-Nazi:
http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/Fields.a...
Posted by Richard on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 3:31 PM
Richard -
Numbers are numbers and will always appear accurate until refuted.
Where are the solid refutatations at?
Which statistic is wrong?
How can a biography effect the numeric system's relationship to data?
refutatations? --> refutations :)))
Numbers are numbers and will always appear accurate until refuted.
-- Posted by Blessed Assurance on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 4:07 PM
No, I think you would have to be an idiot to believe some of those statistics are accurate. Unless you have real scientific data you can analyze yourself, you are just trusting that the source of the information is reliable. I gave you the source, and if you still think it's reliable, maybe you would enjoy Dr. Fields other fine writings such as "Was There Really a Holocaust?"
Oh, and by the way,
Welcome back, Marvin.
I do not understand your question. What negative connotation could you possibly assume that I meant. A tree is known by its fruits after all. I imagine Mark's blog is just another tree for us to examine and see which fruits grow on it.
While I agree this blog does have some basis in Biblical authority, but it loses something when intermingled with the all too worldly politics.
No, I am not at all bitter. It could be that you confuse my admittedly dry sense of humor with aggression. If you could see me now, you would see a smile spreading from one ear to the other.
No, I have never personally experienced the "wonderful" effects of the fruits, but hey, "I say live and let live". If you and other consenting adults choose to be fruity amongst yourself, who am I to judge.
Seriously though, I sincerely do appreciate the prayer.
The moral fall of America will be different on who you talk to,
some called good ol rock n roll the moral decay.
A lot of people said when blacks and whites was getting together was the start.
If you go back enough some would say different religions mixing was bad.
The horrors a protestant marrying christen. What is the world coming to?
Now to a history lesion, prior to the 60's we had women who had no rights
blacks had no rights and the kkk had power in politics.
Was this the good ol days? I hope not.
Do you want to go back to the days blacks had their own water fountain?
I think we have came far in our understanding of others and accepting people
the way they are and not how they differ from white christen bigots.
About relationships between a man and a woman the bible holds up multiple wives.
Should we still have many wives? Why did we stop this? It wasn't because god said to do it.
People use to think that blacks and whites should never get together.
Should that be stopped now, or are you ok with this?
What about older people getting with younger people?
At what age limit should someone not get with another person?
Just because someone else's happiness doesn't make you happy
doesn't give you the right to tell them they can not have their happiness.
As far as your rights go, they stop where my nose begins. Have you not heard this?
It is to say you have all the rights you deserve until you trespass on me and my rights.
You don't have the right to keep rights from other people. To do so is hypocritical.
Bell; clearly you forget how much is in the bible that no one preaches on anymore.
You want to pick and choose what you hold up as right and wrong and discard the rest because you don't like it.
Do you allow your wife talk in church? Does she keep her head covered in church?
Do you listen to women preachers? Does you wife wear something that could be called men's clothing?
Do you eat crabs or other type of food that god said in the old testament not to eat? See you in hell mike.
You like facts? Here are some "facts" from the bible.
Look up Leviticus being as you like that book, go to 27:3-7 why would god say women are worth less then men?
Are we not equal in his eyes? Clearly not. Lot of time in it its less than half.
To even try to understand how god can put money value on life is beyond me. To us in the modern world
we would not think about putting a price in human life.
But god does it. How much is your child worth?
Lets not forget Leviticus ll:7-8 did you have your sausage and bacon biscuit this morning, or a little ham this afternoon?
Tisk tisk mr. bell. or do you just ignore that because you really like swine?
And if you think for a split second that jesus came to change the rules so we don't have to make blood sacrifices
to god and we can now eat what god had called an abomination and all the old rules went out the window
then start living what you preach. The gay issue would go out with this. For that matter so would
the 10 commandments. Its all in the old testament. So please stop picking and choosing what you
want to enforce from the bible. If you are going to ignore one rule because you don't like it
you might as well ignore the whole bible. And in ending i hope you don't work on this blog on sundays.
You are so right, we can't keep this laws, no one could except Jesus , he died to fulfill God's plan. That does no change my views however , to be a Christian is to be called out.
By the way, if you knew the actual meanings and reasons behind this laws you mentioned, you would answer your own questions.
that's right roygriffin. you just dont understand how michelbell's cafeteria plan bible works. if you are divinely inspired, like michaelbell, you are allowed to select the parts of the bible you would prefer to apply to yourself. then it is your holy duty to impose your selection on everyone else.
Mr. Bell:
I do believe you have brought forth a very sensitive subject in your town. Do your local churches not tackle this uprising subject of sin?
Glad to see you focused on God's Word.
Don't get discouraged. But if and when you do become discouraged think of Lot's situation years ago dealing with this same subject and how alone he must have felt in his town and you will see it could be much worse.
Continue to open yourself and remain a conduit for the Holy Spirit to work through you. Pray His work brings conviction of sins and may He lead the convicted of sin to the worthy Son for redemption.
If you can't vouch for the sources, why post them? It does you and your readers a disservice by posting inaccurate statistics. Readers won't trust you if they know your sources aren't accurate.
the stats are reliable, the personal agendas I cannot account for all of them
As Christians, we are not under law, but under grace, but we are still supposed to live a sanctified lifestyle.
People seem to be missing a point. The same figures and statistics are available from a number of different sources who gather and publish data independantly of each other. Their numbers are somewhat almost in complete agreement with one another which lends much credibility to the statistics.
Can someone prove their claim of "inaccurate statistics" for a change? It's easy to use this excuse when someone publishes something that steps on your toes.
Furthermore, can't you all see that your actions of denial actually further the desensitization of the sin which is what the author of this blog originated for discussion?
Please see that your actions of denial could be currently being used by Satan to capture another eternal soul.
Yes, fruits of the spirit,I see what you mean. Look at how the sin of adultery and fornication has been de-sensitised over a period of time to the point it is almost glamorised today.
fruits and Blessed, That's exactly what I was trying to say. When our Christian children/friends/family sin, we say "Oh well, not everyone is perfect".Well, why not? We have the Holy Spirit and it doesn't let us sin, we do that ourselves, by choice or free-will.
I think we should try harder, expecially us Christians. We are Jesus' advertisement and I think we are failing. All this judging and discernment isn't helping, either!
Yes countrymom I agree. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us and warn us from sin. Likewise the Devious and Deceptive Tempter is at war also for us to exercise our free will and make selfish desisions to satisfy the flesh cravings.
While we need to be thoughtful and consider our actions carefully,we need to be careful of hidden agenda,disinformation and bias.
We need to make certain we are thinking and acting according to God's will and not manipulating truth to serve our preferences.
Benjamin Disraeli,Mark Twain,Stephen Jay Gould,the writers of "West Wing" and others have made reference to the "three kings of falsehood": lies,damned lies and statistics.
It is too easy to find factoids to suit our positions or call into question any data that would interfere with our druthers.
We need not even use false statements but can get the same effect by the aforementioned "cherry-picking" or applying a dubious slant.
(Michael's own statistics could convince someone that being gay could get one into college,land them a top job and increase their lifetime earnings by a million dollars.)
I remember an instance where two friendly rivals competed against one another in a stake class.
As it happened,they were the only two riders in the ring.
On reporting the outcome of the class to the people back home,the guy who came in second told that he was the "Reserve Champion" while the other fellow (who got the blue) came in "next-to-last".
He spoke the truth but,as a jest,gave it a self-serving twist.
(I'd quote the infamous Smathers/Pepper campaign speech of the 1950's but it looks like the whole quote was the work of bored reporters.)
Before embracing or discrediting something said or written,we might examine ourselves as well as the data.
"Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?"
That kind of scrutiny will serve us well whether we are considering gossip,jounalism or scholarly reports.
As has been pointed out,a cavalier attitude toward the truth can get the unwary alarmed over nothing or lull them into a smug or complacent view of legitimate threats.
I confess that my personal opinion is that too much attention to specific foibles is of questionable value.
I find it preferable to focus on the redemptive grace that ALL require.
Let people open their hearts and minds and they can choose for themselves whom they will serve and God can determine for Himself how He will remake each individual into a closer approximation of who He designed them to be.
People seem to be missing a point. The same figures and statistics are available from a number of different sources who gather and publish data independantly of each other. Their numbers are somewhat almost in complete agreement with one another which lends much credibility to the statistics.
-- Posted by fruits of the spirit on Wed, Aug 5, 2009, at 7:36 AM
No, not at all. It's true that these "stats" are used by many religious organizations, but they all did the same thing that michaelbell has done here, copy and paste the same list of "stats" they found on the internet without checking them out. That's how lies get spread around.
Well Richard, what are the correct figures? :))
A lot of claims of "inaccurate statistics" but no refutations.
I guess is we can find nothing to back up our claims we are going to be stuck with the proven numbers Mr. Bell has given us.
I guess is we can find nothing to back up our claims we are going to be stuck with the proven numbers Mr. Bell has given us.
-- Posted by fruits of the spirit on Wed, Aug 5, 2009, at 4:58 PM
Why would you be stuck with those numbers when there is nothing to back up those claims, either?
So, when did you develop multiple personality disorder, parkerbros? You might want to seek help for that.
Richard- His numbers are backed up by the very sources that concluded the data. Why does given numbers bother you so much? They are just numbers that represent data. Unless you are one of the numbers quoted why sweat it? If you are one of the numbers and think you may have been put in a wrong column perhaps you could contact the data source and clarify your position.
I wish you could see past the stress the numbers are causing you and realize the seriousness of the blog authors main point and realize that there is a new Desensitization of America going on and feel compassion for the ones that are being deceived by it and try to help them overcome the Deceiver before it is too late.
James 5:19-20
19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Whose side are you on Richard? Ask yourself who receives your help?
Richard- You may want to look into the paranoia and schizophrenia that appears to chipping away at you.
I hate a little ole lady like me can agitate the underlying symptoms in ya but what can I say.
Current statistics says that approximately 0.4--0.6% of the population is affected so do not feel dispared. :)))~
Mr. Bell-
Have you guys had the water checked in Shelby County recently?
It does look like Richard gets upsets at womens comments. Maybe he is paranoid about us women and we provoke those underlying feelings he has. He thinks I am parkerbras. I hardly ever even wear one around the house and have not seen them in stores here.
Is there anything you would like to talk about Richard? We make good listeners.
Yes, me too Richard. I would listen. A lot of men have had bad experiences with women and try to caterogize us all together. Contrary to this there are good women out here who have a genuine interest in helping others overcome the obstacles we all have to face in life. No one is exempt from problems in life and it helps to talk with others who recognize this.
I see you're suffering from gender identity disorder as well.
Is this a game you and your cellmates used to play?
No Richard, we are not into phone games. I was serious when I said I would try to listen to your problems.
I am not however into kinky phone stuff nor will I ever be.
My sister just emailed me and said suggest Dr. Catherine Hood??? to Richard.
parkerbras? Aww, isn't that sweet. The boys in lockup even gave you a pet name.
Richard, don't you want to talk about why the numbers are bothering you.
Why not be honest with yourself and get to the bottom of the problem.
The numbers will never quit bothering you until you accept them. Thinking someone you know is out to expose you is not what it is all about. I don't know you and you don't know me and furthermore what you do with your body is your business only.
Just wish you would think about the consequences to your eternal soul along with the souls of others who are being desensitized to the deception of evil.
"Whose side are you on Richard? Ask yourself who receives your help?"
-- Posted by Blessed Assurance on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, at 9:21 AM
The only "side" I'm on is the side of truth. The truth will set you free, parkerbras. That's in the bible somewhere.
"furthermore what you do with your body is your business only."
-- Posted by fruits of the spirit on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, at 6:53 PM
You're right, I apologize. What you and your jailmates do behind bars is none of my business.
But you're on the outside now, man. So snap out of it.
You are avoiding the problem that eats at you still Richarrrrd.
The numbers.
The numbers that must be a part of you and you of them.
Only you can change the numbers.
So by me being gay I MUST be a child molesting, depressed, alcoholic, psychopath killer. Right.
Well, sir. At least I am not closed-minded and ignorant. Didn't Jesus teach you to love people, or something? I would rather love my life partner and be happy than to have to hide and deny something I have been since birth! The NERVE of some people. I am gay and PROUD. My record is squeaky clean.
Maybe,we should encourage people to be open-minded and open-hearted enough to sense God and go along with what He wants for their lives.
Some people might be convinced of the reality of God yet find no need to bond with Him and change their lives.
Others may committ totally to His will once they see Him as a Person rather than a tyrant,a celestial eBay or a fairy tale.
Never have I heard that our desires or God's will must conform to the preferences of the people around us.
We may try to live according to the world's druthers or we may choose to follow our own hearts and our own best judgement.
God will require us to do what is best for us and,if we are wise,our free will shall align with His wishes.
He won't even try to make what's right for us match the expectations of everyone else on the planet.
The world demands that we make our journey in lock-step with its varied,ever changing,arbitrary whims-whether a given edict is appropriate or not.
God will address our needs according to His agenda-not that of Man.
He might not change everything our family,friends and neighbors find wrong with us.
He might even alter the few things they find right.
But,living in accordance with what He asks of us will be infinitely more satisfying than how we may have lived before.
The common stereotypes insist that God will either strip us of all pleasure and everything that makes us who we are or He will let us act any which way.
Both of these notions are false.
Instead,He takes us where we are and gives us the means to evolve into who we were created to be.
It's never easy to take on the likeness of our Maker but it's a lot more feasible than attempting to fit all the rules and all the little boxes laid out by our fellow human beings.
The world's orders (new or otherwise) are fickle and cumbersome.
The Lord's corrections aren't intended to harm us or restrict our freedom.
Instead,the closer we get to fulfilling His plan for us,the more whole and more liberated we will be.
I'm afraid that,sometimes,people have been so inundated with the words of finite men and women that they can't hear God speak for Himself.
Some may know the Truth and prefer to stay in bondage but others may be so stuck in their own certainty that it's nearly impossible for them to silence the noise of their culture and their own wishes and hear what God has to tell them.
Our march to the beat of a different drummer can result in a stumble in time to the devil's tune or a dance to a divine song.
But,we won't be aware of any harmony or tempo until we make a point to listen.
The NERVE of some people. I am gay and PROUD. My record is squeaky clean.
-- Posted by DontAskDontTell on Fri, Aug 7, 2009, at 11:29 PM
I must presume you are referring to your record here in man's eyes according to the law of the land with this very short temporal life.
But I ask you to think of the eternal life.
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
I pray you have not been desensitized by the Deceptor to the point your conscience is seared.