nice post stevan. i would just like to take this opportunity to say that i would love it if as a united body of Christ we would take a stance on things we support and not just things we don’t. i know we are called to speak truth and take a stand on things. i am not advocating being cowards or being silent. i am frustrated though, that we are now known as people who are constantly negative, complainers, haters if you will. And tell me why the world would want to be a part of a group of negative Biblethumpers (for lack of a better word) who have lost sight of God’s first commandment which has always been to LOVE first. I guess I needed to get that off my chest. chew on that one.
Jaymie, In most cases I would have to agree with you. I am not going to boycott Disney because of their pro gay stance. I probably will not stop eating at McDonald’s, or shopping at WalMart or any other business that supports the Gay lifestyle. People do need to work to support their families. I would also agree with you that Christians do have a reputation for being a hate group. For far too long we have called names in the name of Jesus or laughed at or made fun of people that are different. To be honest with you this an issue that I would like to know how to handle better. How to show the love of God while holding to our Christian values. With all that being said – when I read that Hallmark was bringing out a line of cards for same sex marriage I was saddened and thought I will no longer buy their cards. There does have to be a line drawn somewhere. I do not even pretend to know where that line is. But for me I will not purchase their cards or use e-cards any longer.
I find it concerning and sad to think as a Christian that we begin to feel the need to limit speaking/sharing of Biblical truth when it is clear that we should, in exchange for holding back with concern of being classified as Bible fanatics!
We (you) DO speak approvals and support of so much…not just negatives!
Truth needs to be held to! Sin in whatever form, needs to be recognized as it is!
Jaymie,
I understand what you are saying about Christians having a reputation for being negative. If we are honest with our selves we have been. For far too long we have made fun of people, called names in the name of Jesus, allowed sin in our own lives while “pointing” our fingers at others. I am not going to boycott Disney or quit shopping at Wal Mart or quit eating at McDonald’s. People – Human Beings – have that right to earn and make money to support themselves. However a line does need to be drawn. I do not know where there line is but I will no longer purchase Hallmark Cards or use their e-cards. I hope – pray that God will give us – me the ability to speak truth in love in these last days. I also feel like I need to say that no matter how much love we show, how kind we are – when ever we disagree with non Christians – they are going to call us hate mongers.
Ok thanks for letting me vent!
i knew what i said would shake some people up but i am sorry things i have said have been taken out of context. i said at the beginning that i am not advocating being slient or not speaking truth. i am against speaking the truth out of anger or hate, however. and i just want us (the body of Christ) to speak up… better yet, let our actions do the speaking, on issues of a positive nature as well. in my heart, i desire this hurting world of christians and non-christians alike to see a heart full of love before they see anything else. i know i am called to speak truth and i know not everyone will like what i have to say even if it is said in love- i just know Jesus didn’t avoid thieves and tax collectors. he didn’t boycott them. he ate with them. he built relationships with them. he let his actions speak love before his words spoke judgement.
How is it possible to imagine that a religion breathing the spirit of mercy and benevolence, teaching the forgiveness of injuries, the exercise of charity, and the return of good for evil, can be so perverted as to breath the spirit of slaughter and persecution, of discord and vengeance, for differences of opinion, is a most unaccountable and extraordinary phenomenon. Still more extraordinary, that it should be the doctrine, not of base and wicked men merely, seeking to cover up their own misdeeds, but of good men seeking the way of salvation with uprightness of heart and purpose. It affords a melancholy proof of the infirmity of human judgment, and teaches a lesson of humility from which spiritual pride may learn meekness, and spiritual zeal a moderating wisdom. Joseph Story (Justice U.S. Supreme Court 1779-1845)
nice post stevan. i would just like to take this opportunity to say that i would love it if as a united body of Christ we would take a stance on things we support and not just things we don’t. i know we are called to speak truth and take a stand on things. i am not advocating being cowards or being silent. i am frustrated though, that we are now known as people who are constantly negative, complainers, haters if you will. And tell me why the world would want to be a part of a group of negative Biblethumpers (for lack of a better word) who have lost sight of God’s first commandment which has always been to LOVE first. I guess I needed to get that off my chest. chew on that one.
Jaymie, In most cases I would have to agree with you. I am not going to boycott Disney because of their pro gay stance. I probably will not stop eating at McDonald’s, or shopping at WalMart or any other business that supports the Gay lifestyle. People do need to work to support their families. I would also agree with you that Christians do have a reputation for being a hate group. For far too long we have called names in the name of Jesus or laughed at or made fun of people that are different. To be honest with you this an issue that I would like to know how to handle better. How to show the love of God while holding to our Christian values. With all that being said – when I read that Hallmark was bringing out a line of cards for same sex marriage I was saddened and thought I will no longer buy their cards. There does have to be a line drawn somewhere. I do not even pretend to know where that line is. But for me I will not purchase their cards or use e-cards any longer.
Stevan, is there a limit for your comments?
a limit? I don’t really know!
OH MY! I am surprised at the first comment!
I find it concerning and sad to think as a Christian that we begin to feel the need to limit speaking/sharing of Biblical truth when it is clear that we should, in exchange for holding back with concern of being classified as Bible fanatics!
We (you) DO speak approvals and support of so much…not just negatives!
Truth needs to be held to! Sin in whatever form, needs to be recognized as it is!
Wonder why the tone? Am I misreading it?
Jaymie,
I understand what you are saying about Christians having a reputation for being negative. If we are honest with our selves we have been. For far too long we have made fun of people, called names in the name of Jesus, allowed sin in our own lives while “pointing” our fingers at others. I am not going to boycott Disney or quit shopping at Wal Mart or quit eating at McDonald’s. People – Human Beings – have that right to earn and make money to support themselves. However a line does need to be drawn. I do not know where there line is but I will no longer purchase Hallmark Cards or use their e-cards. I hope – pray that God will give us – me the ability to speak truth in love in these last days. I also feel like I need to say that no matter how much love we show, how kind we are – when ever we disagree with non Christians – they are going to call us hate mongers.
Ok thanks for letting me vent!
i knew what i said would shake some people up but i am sorry things i have said have been taken out of context. i said at the beginning that i am not advocating being slient or not speaking truth. i am against speaking the truth out of anger or hate, however. and i just want us (the body of Christ) to speak up… better yet, let our actions do the speaking, on issues of a positive nature as well. in my heart, i desire this hurting world of christians and non-christians alike to see a heart full of love before they see anything else. i know i am called to speak truth and i know not everyone will like what i have to say even if it is said in love- i just know Jesus didn’t avoid thieves and tax collectors. he didn’t boycott them. he ate with them. he built relationships with them. he let his actions speak love before his words spoke judgement.
.
How is it possible to imagine that a religion breathing the spirit of mercy and benevolence, teaching the forgiveness of injuries, the exercise of charity, and the return of good for evil, can be so perverted as to breath the spirit of slaughter and persecution, of discord and vengeance, for differences of opinion, is a most unaccountable and extraordinary phenomenon. Still more extraordinary, that it should be the doctrine, not of base and wicked men merely, seeking to cover up their own misdeeds, but of good men seeking the way of salvation with uprightness of heart and purpose. It affords a melancholy proof of the infirmity of human judgment, and teaches a lesson of humility from which spiritual pride may learn meekness, and spiritual zeal a moderating wisdom. Joseph Story (Justice U.S. Supreme Court 1779-1845)