The Bible Condemns No One

There has been a lot of talk lately about what the Bible says or doesn’t say, particularly as it relates to homosexuality. Let me be very clear when I say, the Bible condemns no one. It is our actions, our words, and even our thoughts that condemn us, and we are all guilty. No one is of less worth than me because they sin differently than me, or for that matter, more than me.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean I have to accept sin and call it good. And it doesn’t mean that you have to agree with me on any count. It does mean that no matter what you do, I will still love you. It does not mean that I must love everything you do (same goes for me).

I oppose gay marriage on moral grounds. I would vote against it. I would also vote for prohibition if that ever came to vote again. But ask people I know if they have ever felt condemned by me because they drink? Absolutely not. Because they smoke? No. Because they have premarital sex? No. But will I celebrate these things? Never.

In the end, I would have a moral society. I would vote for morality based laws. I would rather see a polarized society with some immoral and some moral rather than an amoral society, which reminds me of a frog slowly boiling to death as the heat is slowly turned up. An amoral society is desensitization.

The wants of the rich

People think that the rich say, “Forget the budget. This is what I want!” This may be true, but it is not the mentality that got them there. I much prefer to say “forget what I want. This is my budget.” The latter way of thinking will eventually let you pick and choose among your wants instead of picking and choosing among your budgets.

Inca Man

The man in my head says he’s Incan;
He’s the one that’s been doin’ the thinkin’.
So whenever I have a faraway thought,
I turn on my brain and say to me stop
Thinkin’ Incan.

But faraway thoughts are not the worst kind;
The worst kind are those that poison the mind;
And if that’s what you’ve got it may be real smart
To turn on a dime and get up and start
Thinkin’ Incan.

-Peter Robbins

Not a gun control issue

I’ve seen quite a few posts in the last 36 hours either for or against gun control. Both sides saying that their chosen position will make us safer. The problem, as I see it, is not too much or too little gun control. It is an increasingly amoral society. Wether you want more or less gun control, you are only treating the symptom. No amount of legislation (one way or another) will make people love one another any more. Please treat the illness by showing love to those all around you (especially those you don’t know).

Knowledge Through Opposites

It is through opposites that we gain knowledge. We would not know warmth without cold. We would not recognize light without the darkness. We could not enjoy pleasure without pain.

What makes vacations so rewarding? It is because we work.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder because it is the absence that helps us define our love.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet…but without the bitter, the sweet would have no meaning.

Even success is often attributed to the failures that led up to it.

So when we pray for something, and experience the opposite, be thankful for it. It is in the their opposites that we learn to appreciate all blessings.

Amateur

Only amateurs get LOST in the proFOUND.

Poem by John Donne

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
That to be hated needs but to be seen,
But seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

Deep End

I won’t depend on the deep end.

Recessional by Rudyard Kipling

God of our fathers, known of old—
Lord of our far-flung battle line—
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies—
The Captains and the Kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away—
On dune and headland sinks the fire—
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe—
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard—
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen.

Thoughts on CHOICE

A decision is a narrowing of alternatives, while a choice is ACTION regardless of the alternatives.

A “choice” without action is nothing more than an option.