It is the new year, and in so much as we are starting a new year, we also began a new life with the birth of our Saviour. From here as Christians, we look ahead to the purpose of our saviours birth, which is his death and resurection, but first we must get "First things First"
Before I begin, I have a couple of confessions to make. First, the thoughts you are going to read, are not entirely my own. They begin with my churches message, delivered today entitles "First Things First", and delivered expertly by pastor Brad and the inspiration of the holy spirit. Second, I usually work of the cuff and say what comes to mind as my thoughts organize. I do not know where things will begin and end when I sit down to type, They are organized in the moment. Tonight however, I have my ipod with my Holy Bible App open and the scripture before me from todays message, because I feel I may need to do more than memory and emotion. Time will tell.
For me, I am visual, and I cannot pass up a vivid visual analogy. "First things First, essentially means that we must put God first both as a church and as a person. The things that are of the earth are of the earth and the things of heaven are not of this earth.It seems like a simple, an odvious statement, one that might bring a "Heeeellllloooo???" from a younger lad, but when you really think about it, seperating earth from heaven is one of the most difficult things, we as christians can have tasked to us.
Todays message had an analogy about the seven tourches which represent the seven early churches. One of those early churches is being spoken to and being delivered the message of the importance of being sure that what we do is not for our glory, but form the glory of God. (Do you volunteer at the food pantry because it makes you feel good?, or because those who need help are Gods childeren, and God has gifted you with compasion for those less fortunate? )We hear alot about light in the bible. Our light is like the light of a candle, and we should not hide it under a bushel, The lighting of our path, and of course, Jesus being our light. Now back to the tourches. Seven tourches, all burning with the light of Jesus. As the early church is being causioned that if they do not regain the purpose of the lord, and return to fulfilling Gods purpose the tourch will be laid down. Picture yourself surrounded by darkness. The only light you have is the light of the torch you carry. You believe you are on the right path. Then out of the darkness, The glory of Jesus approches. He speaks nothing, but holds out his hand for your torch. You hand it to him with pride in your accomplishements.Then without warning, the torch drops to the ground with a thud, causing the flame to extinguish. You are alone in the darkness.
" The light of the body is the eye: If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thy eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. Matthew 6:22-23a (kingJames)
All of that having been said, and knowing that we are in this world and not of this world, I have just one more thing to say...... "Go Packers"
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Who the Hell do you think you are!!!?
Who the Hell do you think you are? Using those two words in the same sentence!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!!? Giving our nations enemy something it did not achieve!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Playing commander and chief!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Disgracing and insulting every Man and Woman who EVER joined the armed forces to defend this country to their death if nessesary!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Using those two words together to defend an indefensable position!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? calling a muslim mosque a "VICTORY MOSQUE"
Ill tell you who you are.
You are a traitor to your country, handing the extremist muslims (Not all muslims)a victory over the USA when they have won nothing.
You are a concervative elitest who has abandoned his countries constitution and showing your hypocrisy in the process.
You are a coward in the face of defeat.
The issue of a mousqe in Lower manhattan is an issue that has two very distinct sides to the arqument. Side one: 3000+ people of many different races, and religions died in a horrific terrorist act carried out by 20 muslim extremists who knocked this country down, and gave this country a bloody nose; but that is where it ends. This country has risen from the dust of the TwinTowers to defend our country where our enemies hide. Oue enemies have not been victorious, therefore logic dictates that there cannot be a "Victory mosque" yet you call the mosque of lower manhatten just that. THat makes you a traitor to your country.
The families of those who died will have there memorial at Ground Zero. This is what this country will do to remember those who lost there lives that day.
Side Two: The constitution of the United States protects religious freedom. This is not arguable. This means that the Muslims have every right to build there mosque at the site they chose two blocks from ground zero because if it were any other church, we would never have been an issue. This means that the muslims are being singled out for their religion. If you do that you have abandoned the very Constitutional rights of religious freedom this country was founded on.
You would have us believe that this is not a religious issue because the muslims can build there mosque any where they want, just not at ground zero, but that is the first lie. You continue to say the mosgue will be at ground zero, yet if you look at a map the mousqe will be built two blocks away, around the corner and in the middle of that block. This lie is a typical lie, specifically catored to do what is typical of you the conservative right when you have a position which is indefensable. You play on our emotions, and try to make the argument about something else you believe you can win. A cowards game.
The second lie, You, the anti constititionists have come up with to try to trick us into looking away from the constitutionality of the issue, is the process of the Orthodox Church destroyed when the Twin Towers colapsed. You are trying to make us believe that the orthodox church has been prevented from rebuilding by the Port Authority while they fast track a mosque. You are trying to make us believe that the Port Authority is the one who is not supporting the constitution, therefore in the interest of fairness the mosque must not be built. Another lie. This is how I have heard the events have taken place. The Orthodox church which was destroyed in the attack, has been offered a plot of land much better than the one they currently were on, and also 60 million dollars to rebuild on said property. In addition if they do not want to move, they can build on the original site they were on at any time, they still own the property. However when the orthodox church approched the Port Authority about rebuilding on a larger sight the port authority said yes and also threw in $60 million dollars to help them rebuild. The church insisted on $80 million and also wanted decision making authority on properties around them. The Port Authority refused and the church has walked away from the table. They can still build on there original sight, but have thus far chosen not to. The original deal is also still on the table also, So this leaves the whole idea of the orthodox church a non issue.
Two sides both of equal relevance, but one is indefensable. Now you would have us believe that according to your poles, 70% of the people are against this mosque, but you do not tell us that in this same pole, as many people also said they believed the constitutional freedom of religion must be upheld. News flash, a lie of omission is still a lie.
Discussion on the issue is good, it can make our country stronger, and we all also have the constitutional right to our freedom of speech. Some just exercise this right with cowardess and shame instead of honesty and truth.
Who the Hell do you think you Are!!?
Who the Hell do you think you are!!!? Giving our nations enemy something it did not achieve!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Playing commander and chief!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Disgracing and insulting every Man and Woman who EVER joined the armed forces to defend this country to their death if nessesary!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? Using those two words together to defend an indefensable position!
Who the Hell do you think you are!!? calling a muslim mosque a "VICTORY MOSQUE"
Ill tell you who you are.
You are a traitor to your country, handing the extremist muslims (Not all muslims)a victory over the USA when they have won nothing.
You are a concervative elitest who has abandoned his countries constitution and showing your hypocrisy in the process.
You are a coward in the face of defeat.
The issue of a mousqe in Lower manhattan is an issue that has two very distinct sides to the arqument. Side one: 3000+ people of many different races, and religions died in a horrific terrorist act carried out by 20 muslim extremists who knocked this country down, and gave this country a bloody nose; but that is where it ends. This country has risen from the dust of the TwinTowers to defend our country where our enemies hide. Oue enemies have not been victorious, therefore logic dictates that there cannot be a "Victory mosque" yet you call the mosque of lower manhatten just that. THat makes you a traitor to your country.
The families of those who died will have there memorial at Ground Zero. This is what this country will do to remember those who lost there lives that day.
Side Two: The constitution of the United States protects religious freedom. This is not arguable. This means that the Muslims have every right to build there mosque at the site they chose two blocks from ground zero because if it were any other church, we would never have been an issue. This means that the muslims are being singled out for their religion. If you do that you have abandoned the very Constitutional rights of religious freedom this country was founded on.
You would have us believe that this is not a religious issue because the muslims can build there mosque any where they want, just not at ground zero, but that is the first lie. You continue to say the mosgue will be at ground zero, yet if you look at a map the mousqe will be built two blocks away, around the corner and in the middle of that block. This lie is a typical lie, specifically catored to do what is typical of you the conservative right when you have a position which is indefensable. You play on our emotions, and try to make the argument about something else you believe you can win. A cowards game.
The second lie, You, the anti constititionists have come up with to try to trick us into looking away from the constitutionality of the issue, is the process of the Orthodox Church destroyed when the Twin Towers colapsed. You are trying to make us believe that the orthodox church has been prevented from rebuilding by the Port Authority while they fast track a mosque. You are trying to make us believe that the Port Authority is the one who is not supporting the constitution, therefore in the interest of fairness the mosque must not be built. Another lie. This is how I have heard the events have taken place. The Orthodox church which was destroyed in the attack, has been offered a plot of land much better than the one they currently were on, and also 60 million dollars to rebuild on said property. In addition if they do not want to move, they can build on the original site they were on at any time, they still own the property. However when the orthodox church approched the Port Authority about rebuilding on a larger sight the port authority said yes and also threw in $60 million dollars to help them rebuild. The church insisted on $80 million and also wanted decision making authority on properties around them. The Port Authority refused and the church has walked away from the table. They can still build on there original sight, but have thus far chosen not to. The original deal is also still on the table also, So this leaves the whole idea of the orthodox church a non issue.
Two sides both of equal relevance, but one is indefensable. Now you would have us believe that according to your poles, 70% of the people are against this mosque, but you do not tell us that in this same pole, as many people also said they believed the constitutional freedom of religion must be upheld. News flash, a lie of omission is still a lie.
Discussion on the issue is good, it can make our country stronger, and we all also have the constitutional right to our freedom of speech. Some just exercise this right with cowardess and shame instead of honesty and truth.
Who the Hell do you think you Are!!?
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