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2010
8
Sep
From the proposed mosque and Islamic cultural center at ground zero to the Koran-burning pastor in Florida, America is questioning rights versus what’s right.
The ground-zero mosque supporters say they have the right to build their mosque anywhere that’s legal. That is true. If it is legal for American citizens to build a mosque at that location, then they have the right to do just that. But, is it right? I know Islamic extremist make up a small percentage of Muslims and most do not condone what their more extreme counterparts are doing, but they should be sensitive to the pain America is still feeling.
To build this center so close to the site terrorists crashed jets full of passengers into the World Trade Center is a slap in the face to America. To me, it seems to say, “Hey, look, we brought down your two tallest buildings and now we’ve got a mosque there.” That is most likely not what is on the mind of those who want to build this mosque and cultural center, but it is certainly what it says to me and, I’m sure, millions of other Americans who watched as the planes hit the buildings. Do they have the right? Yes. Is it right? No.
On the other hand, we have a Christian extremist, pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, who wants to burn the Koran on 9/11. That doesn’t sound much like world outreach to me. I don’t know enough about the Koran to either support or condemn it, but burning it does seem to me to be extreme. What’s the difference between Christian extremism and Islamic extremism? Remember the crusades?
The federal government has apparently gotten in on this action, but they can’t do anything about it as it is a First Amendment issue. The military are concerned about the fallout and increased risk to Americans who are still in the Middle East if this Koran-burning occurs, a valid concern to be sure. This church has the First Amendment right to burn the Koran, but should they do it? They have the right, but it is not right.
Americans enjoy certain rights (for now) and the most revered is the first one:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Maybe we need to not only enjoy our rights, but focus more on what is right.
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2010
28
Aug
I read an article on cquaredsworld.com that has some good thoughts on the basics of Christian life. Sometimes, as Christians, we tend to place ourselves above others and forget to minister to them. Yes, we are to set ourselves apart from the world, but not above it. Sometimes, we tend to depend on our own abilities and not lean on God.
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship, and that he has created us to do great things, which He has planned out for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says He knows the plans He has for us, and that those plans will prosper, not harm, us, and give us a bright and glorious future. It’s time to get back to basics and put my definition of what my life has in store for me into God’s hands and let Him tell me what He says I should do. I’m not going to turn my life into a crusade to run around and proclaim I’m better than everyone, because that’s not what it’s about. I’m a child of God, and I will follow the plan He has for me. This will take time, but as long as He guides me and shows me what I’m supposed to do, I know I’ll prevail.
Read the entire article here.
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2010
2
Apr
What would Jesus’ obituary look like? What would it contain? I received this via email and thought others may enjoy it.
Calvary – Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.
Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. he was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by by His mother Mary, His faithful apostles, numerous disciples and many other followers.
Jesus was self-educated and spent most of his adult life working as a teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a medical doctor and it is reported that he healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.
Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father’s Kingdom and performing miracles such as feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast at which He foretold His death.
The body was quickly buried in a stone grave which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family. By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.
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2010
29
Mar
Husbands have a responsibility to their wives. I was talking to a friend of mine who loves to quote the Bible about the husband being head of the wife and her responsibilities to the husband. My argument back to him is that the husband should first fulfill his responsibilities to his wife.
Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-31 in the New King James Version tells us
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her… So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Head of the house, head of the wife does not mean the husband is master and the wife is a slave where the wife is to blindly follow the husband and be at his beck and call. No, the husband, if he is fulfilling all his responsibilities, is to be more of a leader.
The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. This means he should love his wife above all others, more than anyone else. Ephesians 5 teaches husbands they should cherish their wives, be tender and affectionate, demonstrate their love to their wives. He should not only show her his love and commitment, but tell her as well. He should not be so wrapped up in himself that he fails to acknowledge his wife or communicate with her.
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
Husbands are to give honor to their wife, as to the weaker vessel. This does NOT mean the wife IS the weaker vessel, but should be treated as such, with tenderness and care. I know in many ways, my wife is stronger than I am. We are to be heirs together in the grace of life. Each lending individual strengths to the relationship to make each stronger together than apart.
Honor means the husband should never publicly embarrass his wife or cut her down. As Ephesians 5 says, husband and wife cleave as one flesh, which means she is to be treated as part of the husband’s body. Honor means the husband should respect his wife, be courteous to his wife, be considerate towards his wife’s feelings and emotions, and hold her up with dignity. He should be gentle towards her, keeping his temper in check. The husband should not expect perfection from his wife as he, himself, is not perfect.
I tell you husbands, if you treat your wife as the Bible commands you, she will return the love and respect to you many times over.
There are many more examples of a husband’s responsibility towards his wife and family in the Bible, and I will try to go more in depth in future articles.
Please feel free to comment on this post and offer other scripture. Have a blessed day.
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2009
12
Aug
There has long been a debate on the separation of church and state and how, on publicly owned property, we should refrain from anything to do with any religion. We can’t have the Ten Commandments in our courthouses or other public buildings, even though most of our laws are based on them. The Supreme Court has upheld that public or government buildings or land should remain religion neutral. But, what if it is called education instead of religion? Is it okay then?
Anna Falling, candidate for mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has resurrected a debate over a Creationism exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo. In fact, according to an article by News on 6, she has made it a big part of her platform. Apparently, this debate began about four years ago when an exhibit telling the story of creation was rejected. Falling is bringing it back to life saying the zoo has other religious icons there, including a Hindu god. Supporters belife that if Hindu religion can be represented, then so should Christianity.
Friends of Religion and Science take the stance that the religious references at the zoo are there for education of different cultures, not for a promotion of a certain religion. I’m all for education or religions because I believe that someone who knows more about what they believe in can believe much more strongly and be able to defend their beliefs. If we change it from religion to theory, then the Christian belief of creationism can be taught as a theory instead of a religion. That should fit in nicely.
If the zoo includes other religions for educational purposes, then what is the harm of including Creationism as part of the education? A well-rounded education should include all sides of an argument so the student can then apply his or her own values and make a decision as to which is right and which they want to believe.
Related stories: Mayoral Candidate Wants Creationism Exhibit At Tulsa Zoo
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2009
27
May
According to Gallup, most Americans continue to oppose same sex marriage. However, it also shows that most Americans believe that relations between consenting adults of the same sex should be legal.
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