Christianese

LOL My favorite parts:

"Learn popular phrases such as 'uh-huh' and 'mmm..mmm..mmm'"

"Learn why other religions 'refuse to laugh'"

Awful

Article

I read the above article about two men (high school students when the incident occured) who were sentenced to nine years in prison for beating and kicking another man to death. Because the two men were white and the man who was beaten to death was Hispanic, there is a lot of racial tension and controversy. It said that the boys called the man a "spic" before beating him to death followed by an acquittal of all serious state charges (including murder) by an all white jury. Federal hate crime charges were then filed.

Aside from the racial issues, how could anyone acquit these boys of those crimes. What's sad, is that there were actually four boys. They were all drunk and beat this guy. Two of them plead guilty and testified AGAINST the other two boys in this article. They told everyone what happened, how they plotted to cover it up, and even that one of the two boys plotted with local police to cover up the situation.

Going back to race, clearly this was what it was about. The Hispanic guy was here illegally, the boys were drunk, and that doesn't mix well. I would even bargain to say that the boys didn't mean to kill the guy. However, why does anyone think that a person deserves to be beaten because of their nationality or even status as a citizen of this country? Obviously, there will always be racial differences that cause us to argue with one another. People get heated about things and many just feel more comfortable around their own race. I'm not Ghandi preaching that we should hold hands and kiss. But, I would say that there is a general rule of common decency that we need to show to mankind. Needless to say, this is a Biblical principle of loving our neighbor, but in the broad spectrum on humanity this should even be present.

I would also bargain to say that the man wasn't here illegally with malicious intentions, but to provide a better life for himself and his family. Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that people take advantage of our system and abuse our country's generosity. But, if I were in a place where my family wasn't being provided for, I would do what I needed to do to make it happen. That's not my excuse for illegal aliens, I'm just stating the facts. Going back to the topic though, again, this guy didn't deserve a firing squad. If you wanted to take out your drunken anger, you should have called immigration services. Killing people is illegal too, you know.

And that brings me to my last point. Ah, yes, the anger of these innocent young men. Seeing how this horrible illegal immigrant was over here stealing jobs from hard working Americans. So, let's get drunk (illegal because you're not 21) and beat the guy and really teach him a lesson (illegal). What? He's dead? Well, let's plot a scheme to cover our tracks or lie to the police (illegal). Now that we're arrested, let's do everything we can to make us look like law abiding citizens and just taken by a righteous surge of anger to get off easy instead of facing the consequences (morally wrong). They attacked this guy for being here illegally, breaking more and worse laws in the process.

Now, I realize that there is clearly more to this story. I realize that even though a man is dead, that these boys are still a parent's kids. I also realize that there may be more of the story that I don't know. But, when you beat a man to death when you're life wasn't in danger, what more of the story is there to tell? Clearly, a lose/lost situation. But, what are we telling people when we acquit murderers? I'll give you the answer. We're telling people that it's okay to let your anger escape your better judgment. It's okay to murder if your judgment is impaired by alcohol (even when underage). It's okay to manipulate our system for our betterment even when having to do so because we murdered someone for supposedly manipulating and abusing our system.

Let Freedom Ring

By far, the best they've ever done this song. David Phelps is from another planet. If I were him, I would put my voice in a museum.

May 21, 2011--Last Day?!?!

Harold Camping Article

What in the world are people thinking believing Harold Camping and his nonsense that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011. I don't get it. The boat for his proving himself sailed long ago when he said it was going to be in 1994. Let me rephrase: he said it might be in 1994...but there was the most humble possibility that his calculations could be wrong and it would be 2011 when it happened. Either way, only true believers (i.e. anyone who believes that the world will end when he does) will be raptured. I wouldn't quite call him a false prophet; after all, he never claimed to receive a vision from God or anything. I would say that he's a false teacher though. Telling people you have a sure thing when you don't isn't the best way to go about teaching the Gospel. This isn't the Da Vinci Code where we have to decipher hidden and complex messages in the Bible to figure out when this thing is going down. It was written for every man! Sure there are complexities here and there, but not to the point we dig for the timing of something that Jesus said no man knows. That's why Paul said not to worry about it. He told us to preach the gospel, not the timing of judgment day. Just that we will be judged one day.

Alabama Governor Apologizes

The new governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, after his inauguration Monday, made some pretty heavy comments.

"There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit," Bentley also said, according to the Birmingham News. "But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister." Source

Now, normally, I would be just as uneasy as the next person because I would be thinking that the public forum, especially revolved around politics, is NO place for what this guy said. Within personal conversation maybe, but these words pretty much make you look rebellious and like you're ignoring the laws of the land that say don't push religion on our state. However, the guy wasn't at his inauguration in front of a group of mixed religion bystanders--he was in a Baptist church!!!

Clearly, we have politicians everywhere that push their own hot-button agendas. Religion just happens to be one of he hottest. But, why on earth should he have to apologize for what he obviously believes. It's not one of those statements made in anger where you call your friend an idiot or hypocrite and then later say you're sorry. You know they're not really an idiot or hypocrite, you were just mad. Bentley made this level headed comment in a speech he had planned. A speech that he knew would be among fellow believers-in a BAPTIST church-with the anticipation that some would not be believers and as a way of evangelism, made his comments.

It's like we want to pretend that because he made this comment that he's going to push Christianity as the government appointed religion and bring prayer (Christian only) back into schools. These are the same people that pitch such a huge fit over raging Christians propagating that Muslims are trying to infiltrate America's system to push Sharia Law. Let the guy worship how he wants to and say what he wants from the pulpit. I hardly think that worshiping how he desires and being passionate about his beliefs means that he's not going to defend others' right to worship freely.

Star Wars!

Okay, let me preface this video by saying something...Benny Hinn does some pretty awful manipulation of people and I find that very sad. To keep my judgmental thoughts about him aside, I'll leave it there. But, I thought the video was genius and hilarious with the light saber scenes.

Transforming Grace

I've been reading this book lately called Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. It's an excellent read so far with the basic premise being that God's grace is completely unmerited and it is nothing we can earn. That's a difficult concept to take in sometimes. To think that I have absolutely NO control whatsoever on my eternal state. Obviously, I ask God to save me from an eternity apart from Him, but I'm told that I was dead to sin and it was Him who made me alive. So, my very salvation is completely unmerited. It's mind boggling to grasp this because I like to think I control most things in my life. However, God controls this.

Then, I was reading in Zechariah and in chapter 3, Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan was standing beside him ready to accuse him. Then, the Lord rebukes Satan and He has the filthy garments that Joshua was wearing taken off of him. In verse 4 the Lord says, "...See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes." Imagine that: You're standing before God and you know you've broken His laws that separate you. Then, you get before Him and Satan busts out a list a mile long of your worst sins and he's ready to start reading them off before God to get you in the worst kind of trouble. Then, God rebukes HIM instead and says, "this is MY child and I've made him clean!" It's like a giant boo-yah, in your face to your accuser. So, even though I don't understand how salvation is outside of my controlling sometimes, I read verses like that and become a little more excited that it's all God and not me. After all, if I was standing before God and all I had in my name was a few of my good works compared to the list that Satan was holding, I might not be in too great a standing with God...

Unredeemed

This video doesn't have the best sound quality, but I loved the beginning of it with the story of the song. I make the mistake and horrible judgment of thinking many times that so many Christian artists really don't believe what their singing. I mean, I hear people sing about how if God puts them in the valley that they'll just keep on singing and smiling until their death. Then I think, really? Would you seriously? When Todd (the singer in this video) said that about his daughter, I was floored. I just kept thinking how horrible that was and then listening to the words and really seeing how this song could be meaningful to him. But, I've been a fan of Selah since their first CD where they told their personal story of "It Is Well With My Soul."

In a practical sense, I love to say I have a truck load of faith in theory, but it's in the tough situations that we're really tested do we see that faith lived out. But, like Todd said, there are good days and there are horrible days, but we have to choose to continue to serve and praise the God who promises redemption and restoration of hearts and lives.

What Love Really Means

It's seldom that I find a song that really connects and hits something in me that triggers more thoughts than I can process at once. This song cuts me deep because it really brings out the emotion of the Gospel message. It's difficult as humans to really grasp the concept that salvation is all about God's glory because we are so prone to think about self. But, even in that built-in selfishness, God still chooses to reach out and love us. Even though our praises might only reach so far, He still wraps His love around us. This song makes me realize that even though some people may seem like they are so far from God or maybe I just see them and judge thinking that they'll just shoot me down if I try to tell them about Christ, maybe they are seeking for someone to love them. Maybe they really are at their last straw begging for a Savior and needing that love. There are a lot of people who do need someone to love them despite what's going on in their lives.

Mama's Bible

I thought this joke was pretty humorous... :)


Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

Milton, the first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."

Marvin, the second said, " I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

Michael, the third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."

Melvin, the fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it." The other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes.

She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."

"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture though."

"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you!"