Jesus was someone that spent time and ate with all sorts of “sinners”. In the Gospels we see Him with the likes of tax collectors, roman soldiers, and prostitutes. Scandalous in His time – and in too many churches today, it’s the same.
Forgiven – update on Vanishing Grace More
Finally, some hope – although look how it comes. Through another marriage to a prostitute and an exile – to cure all the things they have been doing wrong. So, yes – hope. But are they willing to pay the price of “admission” – pun entirely intended. They have to “admit” what they had become in order to be “admitted” back to a relationship with God.
The healthy and the sick. What did Jesus really mean? More
Would we be better off if people were like robots?
“I want you to think about the damage that has been done to mankind because of the choices of men and women. Think of the suffering, the anguish, the loss. All of it, throughout human history. Wars waged throughout the ages, using ever-escalating weaponry that is crafted to bring about newer and more efficient ways of killing the enemy. The horrors and atrocities of Hitler’s concentration camps. Barbarism. Pornography and the sex trade. Slavery. Organized crime. Genocide. The list goes on. “Think about these things, and ask yourself . . . Wouldn’t the world be better off if humanity lacked free will? If people did not have the ability to choose their actions for themselves, but were forced to behave as they should?”
Would the world be better off if people were like robots? More
In any case, even though I don’t know you, statistically speaking – this will probably happen to you. In some fashion.
The story of you – and Mr. J. More
We do the same thing with God It’s “fun” to be a new Christian. There’s the excitement. Lot’s of people are happy for you. Even the Heavens rejoice.
But then, …
Wanting to be found – but hiding to not be found. More
… In all sorts of places, speaking truth will end up causing a lawsuit. In colleges – it’s a violation of whatever they call the rules against speaking truth to our sensitive little children who are supposed to be exposed to the very thing they object to – truth.
If your goal is to offend no one … More
What if we just trusted God – the one who’s in a similar relationship with us – as Dewey is to my wife & I? What if we were up for whatever He had for us – even if it seems to be painful at the time? What if we had Dewey’s attitude – we’re happy for the relationships – and just assume that whatever’s happening will be good for us.
Learning from a dog – again More
Oh – by the way – that forgiveness thing. It’s good for anything we have done. Literally – anything. There’s nothing, no matter what some may say, that won’t be forgiven. Some would say if you’ve done certain things – you can’t be in “the church”. Well – maybe not in their “church”. But in Jesus’ church – sincerely ask for forgiveness from Jesus – and you will be forgiven.
Well – I’d think that opening would get some interest! One way or another, people seem to be on all sides of this issue – and apparently even those on the same side have a hard time getting along with each other!
There is, of course, a catch here. We never know when the last moment will come. I was in a car accident a couple years ago where I had less than a second before knowing I was going to be hit. “Life”, in the traditional sense, could end at any time.
I’m proud of you, you know … More
