The Women At The Well

I was the woman at the well - but by the grace of Jesus I am free, forgiven, redeemed and restored.

This monologue from YouTube that is about that same story says everything that I'd like to say about that. Wow.

What Matters More?

Everyone is blogging about Derek Webb's song from his new album Stockholm Syndrome. The song is 'What Matters More?'. It's getting lots of press in the Christian realm because of the two dirty words that are used in the song.

I first listened to the song when it was posted on my friend Ben's blog. And true to form, Ben's post got me all riled up. Not because of the swear words. *gasp* But because of the subject matter. The song addresses the churches treatment of homosexuals in a rather 'in your face' kinda way. I never expected that song to strike such a deep chord with me, but it did. Below is the paraphrase of the comment I left on Ben's blog where the title of his post was: WE NEED THE CONTROVERSY.

If you listen closely, I believe the curse words are there to be ironic. I rather wish they were not in there, but I won't start marching around and carrying signs to try and protest the song. Sadly I used to use the ‘f’ word every other sentence and it still slips from time to time.

Which brings me to point number 2 – I sin every day. I sure try not too. But I do. Therefore how in the world could I condemn anyone else for the same?

Do I think being gay is a sin? Ya it is but it’s not my job to judge. (At first I said it 'probably' was a sin, but I edited that out because it is. Very clearly) So is jealousy, cursing, and anger, just some of the things I'm guilty of. Besides I’m no bible scholar and I can’t know absolutely for certain what Jesus thinks about it anyway.

But no, Ben, I don’t think we need the controversy. What we do need is to shut our mouths about it and get on with the job Jesus gave us: Loving one another, and loving the Lord our God.

I leave you with the only Bible verse that I think applies in this case. Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

Or this one: John 8:7 “Any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.” But brother, that ain’t me.

Wow. The thoughts behind that song really ticked me off. I didn't even know I really had an opinion on the matter. Thanks Ben for turning me on to that song. :)

You can listen to the ever so 'shocking' and controversial song here. But be forwarned!!!! You will here the nasty versions of the words Darn and Poop. Really!

And if you do listen to the song, honestly ask yourself "What matters more to you?"

What does being a Christian mean?

That pic is Meghan - blogger, video producer, skater, Christ follower. My daughter just sent me the link to a YouTube Video that was written and performed by this 21 year old poet who has wisdom well beyond her years. I am astounded by the depth, insight, and truth of this young woman's words!

She has entitled her poem 'box', and anyone who has felt pigeon-holed because of the label 'Christian' will empathize and agree with her well chosen words. Please watch the Video - this is life changing stuff.

You can watch her heartfelt, moving, inspired video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez8kz0V9D54&feature=channel

And you can read her blog at the link below. Her name is Meghan, and her heart is for the Lord:

http://www.strawburry17.blogspot.com/

Censorship vs Free Will

Partial Freedom is an oxymoron - but that's just want some people would like the internet to be: "Partially Free". I am greatly disturbed by the censorship of the 'net that has been taking place in China, and is now in beginning in Germany. This censorship in Germany is being done under the guise of making the internet safe for children. In China the Government just admits that it wants to control the information being distributed to their citizens. While China's attitude is disturbing, at least their admonition is refreshing.

This subject took me back some years as I recalled the formation of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. I remember the first time I read the Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace penned by the poet John Perry Barlow. Its inspiring words, shown in part below, brought tears to my eyes:

"Governments of the Industrial World, you weary giants of flesh and steel, I come from Cyberspace, the new home of Mind. On behalf of the future, I ask you of the past to leave us alone. You are not welcome among us. You have no sovereignty where we gather. ..."

"We are creating a world that all may enter without privilege or prejudice accorded by race, economic power, military force, or station of birth. ..."

"We are creating a world where anyone, anywhere may express his or her beliefs, no matter how singular, without fear of being coerced into silence or conformity. ..."

"We will create a civilization of the Mind in Cyberspace. May it be more humane and fair than the world your governments have made before."

---John Perry Barlow

Noble thoughts expressed over a sometimes ignoble medium. But the truth is that Cyberspace is no more evil than the world in which we live, although the anonymity of the internet allows that which resides in the hearts of men to surface freely. But we can not be afraid! Where freedom reigns the truth can always be found. Censorship does not eradicate evil. Wrongdoing is only further obfuscated by censorship.

Yes, there are nasty, and evil places on the internet. There are also places of goodness, justice and truth. I'm not willing to allow any Government to decide for me which is which. In China, for instance, some Christian Web Sites have been banned.

Our Lord gave us Free Will. I'm not willing to let any Government take that away from me.

I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,

--Psalm 119:45-46

Makeup your own mind about Cyberspace! Here is some software that can help:

• XXX Church
• Parental Control Software

Nothing ordinary about it...

The Church counts the time after Pentecost and before the Christmas Season as Ordinary Time. So between June 1 this year until November 28 life will be ordinary.

I discovered this because as a new Christian I like to study not only the Bible, but Biblical and Church History. I read the above article about Ordinary Time – which really just means 'ordinal' or counted time. But I highly object to that name!!

There is nothing ordinary about following Jesus Christ. Ever since I made the choice to accept Christ into my life I've been living an incredible adventure. Doors have opened that I never expected. People accepted me and my life is filled with those who not only love me, but stand beside me in times of crisis. I see miracles happen all around me every single day - evidence that the Lord works both ends of every situation. I have gained wisdom, and confidence that I never knew I could possess because all of these things were born of the Lord.

Sometimes I almost feel a little sorry for those who have known Jesus their whole lives because I understand that they will never get to feel the thrill of the realization that they are finally honestly FREE from the darkness, and pain in which they used to live. I'm going to keep the joy that 'thrill' gave me forever.

It may well be that the Church counts the time after Pentecost as 'Ordinary Time'. But my life after my own personal Pentecost is anything but ordinary. Life with Jesus is an eternal adventure!

My Prayer

Heavenly Father I ask that you never let me forget my life before I was saved.

I never want to forget the utter emptiness in my soul that I tried to fill in all the wrong ways.

I never want to forget the self loathing I felt for the way I was living my life.

I never want to forget the loneliness of my self imposed isolation.

I never want to forget the disappointment of opening my eyes to a new morning when what I longed for was death.

I do not want to forget the overwhelming fear that kept me from leaving my home.

I never want to forget the guilt, and the anxiety and the pain that filled my every waking moment because of how I had failed my children that I could not raise.

I never want to forget the lies, deception and the self denial of my decaying mind.

I am so grateful for your redemption, for now there is no condemnation, and I am free.

I will treasure these dark memories because only through them can I measure how far you've brought me. Through them I can know just how far I've come by your grace alone. And with these memories I can begin to fully understand how great your love is. You never let go of me Lord, no matter how deep I sank. And I never want to forget that.

Thank you Lord for these dark memories. They keep me praising you.

New Technology MUST HAVE

I just bought 10 of these for our Pastors!! It really blew my budget, in fact I had to take out a loan to get them but they are sure worth it! I'm saving to purchase the VR model for my own personal use!




These guys are hilarious.