Indexes
December 1st, 2008
November 30th, 2008
November 29th, 2008
November 28th, 2008
November 27th, 2008
November 26th, 2008
November 25th, 2008
November 24th, 2008
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Students 'protest' the eating of turkeys on Thanksgiving (82)
- Does citing the facts on immigration mean I am a hate-monger? (75)
- Minister takes to the streets to recruit new members (70)
- Huber upsets Sieglock in 10th Assembly race (34)
- Former gang member hopes to make a difference in Lodi (34)
- Is the U.S. Constitution obsolete? (30)
- Automakers need a simple car (30)
- Lodi fills position of deputy city manager (17)
- Update: Huber appears to have made comeback victory (16)
- Galt Boys and Girls Club in danger of closing (14)
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Lodi pastor: Gay marriage didn't cause wildfires
Some in our community have written letters to the News-Sentinel suggesting that the wildfires in California are a result of God's judgment on our state for the state Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage.
As a pastor, I would caution all of us against making such claims.
Jesus directly addressed the issue of whether disasters mean that God is judging in Luke 13:1-5: "Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. "Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those 18 who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.' "
Jesus indicates that it is dangerous and wrong to jump to conclusions about the relationship between disasters, whether caused by human evil or by accident, and the sins of any particular group of people.
This does not mean that we are not all guilty of turning away from God and are all in need of salvation, but it does mean we should not jump to the role of prophet and claim to know how God is working through such events.
Some prominent Christian TV personalities made comments after the Katrina hurricane that I found embarrassing and dishonoring to Christ. One claimed that since Ellen Degeneres is from New Orleans, was chosen to host the Academy Awards and is a lesbian, therefore Katrina was a judgment on New Orleans and Hollywood for that choice.
That was an outrageous conclusion and simply made all Christians look like narrow-minded, judgmental people in the eyes of the watching world. It certainly did not make anyone in Hollywood or New Orleans take notice and repent.
There is plenty of sin in the world, and we do not wish to overlook it. But we who are Christians would have a more positive effect on the world if we paid more attention to following the example of Jesus who was well known as a friend of sinners and socialized with tax collectors and prostitutes without condoning their particular sins.
The apostle Paul asked the Corinthian church, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? (1 Corinthians 5:12)"
Instead, our business should be to love, serve and accept others and in that way have an opportunity to share the truly good news of Jesus Christ's love for all.
Steve Newman is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Lodi.
Reader Feedback
mainframe wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:45 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 8, 2008 6:59 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 3:16 PM:
voter wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:47 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:35 PM:
romans 1:32
"who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those that practice them" "
real facts wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:30 PM:
everytime i take billy to task, and point out his perverted angle of attack in here, he crawls back under a rock for a bit. that is until you people don't say anything to him about it, sometimes even high fiving him over it. that emboldens him to do it more.
yep. that makes anyone in here that does, an accessory to his crime.
good luck on having to answer to God on that one.
anger and opposition is one thing....perversion is a whole different animal "
real facts wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:12 PM:
what's sad is people like you high fiving a guy like that when he perverts something pure, and something you claim to love.
if someone has a difference of opinion, that's fine. but when you have to twist peoples words around into a form of perversion, that's sick.
anybody who high fives billy after he does, is an accessory to his crime. by high fiving him, you are sending him the message that what he says and does is right. that makes you, and everyone else that does, an accessory to his crime. i wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of high fiving perversion, and giving it a free pass "
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:39 PM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:38 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:19 PM:
your speaking for voter now? i didn't know that. next time i will direct all my comments to voter thru you. cool?
"reverend clean bowels" (laughing).
i was thinking this morning how you pervert everything you touch in here. you take something thats pure, and pervert it. like the time i explained to the board that i don't hate gay people, telling them about how i make sure i talk to the that young gay man at the fast food place, because alot of people in this town wouldn't, because he is gay. what do YOU do? you turn it around and pervert my intent. your a sick puppie billy. telling me to sell my daughter into sexual slavery pretty much demonstrated how far your perversion has taken you.....straight to the bottom.
your lucky i keep myself in check, that i don't come at you like you do me. i could have a field day at your expense given your homosexuality. what's more pathetic? watching as others high five your perversion "
Lodian wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:08 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:54 PM:
:0) "
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:48 PM:
No comment needed - no explanation. "
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:44 PM:
I got the peace peace peace peace down in my heart, down in my heart.....
everybody sing!!! "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:36 PM:
no comment ? "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:34 PM:
it is not a sin to be a mexican, but it is a sin to commit homosexual sex without a conscience about it.
combining both areas of life, it would be a sin to be prejudiced against either, as if "we" are better than them, and having no compassion for ANYONE a person wrongly feels "they" are different than "us".
everybody is the same in the eyes of God. but equally everyone is responsible before God for their sin. NO ONE is exempt from sin in any "category" of life. "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:28 PM:
" I think I'll continue my way of looking at things and take my chances").
actually, i like the way you look at things :)
at least you show a willingness to learn and adjust. those ARE the qualities that define a person who is FOLLOWING after Christ, not merely giving lip service like they are "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:25 PM:
" I might be standing next to Billy in the end... you too realfacts. I really don't think you know it all").
we might be, if billy comes to Christ. if he doesn't, well you know...
i really know....i don't even come close to "knowing it all".
but what i DO know about Christ, i am decisive and sure about, and it's that quality that gives strength. it's amazing to watch the ambivilence of people toward God and eternal matters, garnering a "maybe" / only a guess at eternal life. how sad "
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:39 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:33 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:31 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:02 PM:
After Reverend Prune drinks his dose of salts preparing himself for eternal life, he won't be as much of a distraction. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:14 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:00 PM:
shine the exterior of a "penny" (person) all you want, it still won't purify what's internal. only God can do that. external "cleaning" doesn't lead to eternal life. only "internal cleaning" can "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:54 AM:
" Who was it who said "My invisible friend is better than your invisible friend."?
I think it was Robb. Great line. ").
actually, thats a terrible "line", because it underhandedly sells the notion that it doesn't matter who God really is, and that debate about it is a waste of time. when in fact, it's the most important discussion one can and should have.
someday you must choose sam. choosing to stand up for what is right "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:49 AM:
" How do you clean a dirty penny? Can it ever get shiny again? Once it's dirty can you ever put it in a collection. like a old wheat, can it be polished for a collection? ").
only God can clean that "penny", because only God can clean from the inside out. but if a person continues to mock God (the only one that CAN clean him/her), that "penny" will only get dirtier.
billy's deterioration (by choice) is on the accelerated program "
real facts wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:46 AM:
more evidence of your perversion running amok, and rotting your soul.
cracks me up, that just because people in here that don't like, give you a free pass despite your sick analogies. not only do you mock God once again, you purposefully lie about tarditional/biblical Christianity that produces the most healthy children on the planet.
yeah, your here for altruistic reasons.
your sick "
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:42 AM:
LOL... sorry I stole that from you, Ivan. :-) "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:30 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:27 AM:
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:25 AM:
and WY, keep shining up those tarnished pennies. "
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:48 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:45 AM:
This always makes me giggle. :-) "
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:43 AM:
Lodian wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:42 AM:
girard: I could be wrong, but I would guess that they (referring to gay people) are fine with the beliefs of others until those beliefs infringe on their rights to live and love just like the rest of us. Some gay people will become more irate than others (just like any other segment of society), but the foundation of their frustration, and being oppressed, are the same when people use religion to bar them from their civil rights. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:53 AM:
I think it was Robb. Great line. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:50 AM:
Again, my hero. and a Peace Out to you too. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:49 AM:
Peace out. "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:48 AM:
We know better than they do an our the smugness we feel as we force them to live according to our religious preferences and to marry according to our moral laws is just evidence of God's infinite grace with which he rewards us for our fight against their so called freedoms.
I'm behind you 548.39%. Keep up the good faith and don't let the liberal scum forget that your better than they are. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:48 AM:
Pour Apple Cider Vinegar into a small container drop penny in and wait till it looks clean ( do not leave in to long) rinse rub on a baking soda paste rinse, dry and polish lightly with a soft cloth. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:47 AM:
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:47 AM:
Simply place your pennies into a shallow dish and cover them with lemon juice and salt.
Wait a few minutes, rinse and serve. No rubbing required. (The dots you see on the 'After' penny were caused by air bubbles in the lemon juice. Be forwarned!) "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:46 AM:
The use of vinegar and salt to clean pennies goes way back. It works on the same principle as using ketchup (Ketchup contains vinegar, salt and tomatoes), but there is less rubbing involved.
Mix up a concoction of vinegar and salt. Stir it around to dissolve the salt and then dump in your dirty pennies. Mix it up a bit and let it sit for several minutes. You will be able to see the cleaning process in action.
Scrub lightly with a toothbrush to get the especially gritty areas. Rinse and spit. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:45 AM:
The 'Ol Ketchup technique is a time-tested standard for collectors. Simply grab a bottle of ketchup from the fridge and rub a little onto the penny.
For the best results, use a toothbrush (your spouse's works best) and scrub the surface lightly to work the ketchup into all the tight areas.
Rinse the penny (and the toothbrush) and you will notice that it is now dull and pink. Not to worry. We are not finished yet.
Now pour some baking soda into a small dish and add some water to make a thick paste. Rub that all over the penny with your fingers to bring back the shine. "
sam wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:45 AM:
This first technique uses a standard pencil eraser. Just start rubbing. The gunk will slowly be removed revealing a shiny new finish.
For better results and less carpal tunnel pain, attach a short pencil to a standard variable-speed drill. Electric erasors are also available at any drafting supply store. They use long strips of erasor so you won't waste a bunch of pencils.
The final result will be a well-earned, gleaming penny. "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:40 AM:
Unfortunately, such behavior only makes them look petty, small and terribly unintelligent. Pity.
Great post!!! I'm with you 548.39% Mr Girard. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:31 AM:
Unfortunately, such behavior only makes them look petty, small and terribly unintelligent. Pity. "
WY wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:15 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:57 AM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:09 AM:
Crucifying children has been a tradition among the most faithful Christians for generations in an effort to emulate the Great One (and every person who wants to sit for eternity among the Real Facts of the world wants to be more like Him).
It has only been recently, since the unfortunate takeover by liberals, that good conservatives have sometimes run afoul of man's law when it comes to the loving application of sound parenting techniques.
Any great religious zealot can tell you they know how best to raise healthy, well adjusted chidren. Spare the spikes and spoil the child. "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:44 AM:
Would any one of us permit our own child to be put to death in the most horrific manner by and for the most vile and contemptible people among us? Any Christian 'knows' that this is precisely what God did
Amen to that Brother! Another great post.
Did you see that book that came out a couple of years ago called "Raising Your Kids the Yahweh Way" by Victor T. Kahn? There were some lawsuits after the first couple crucifixions and I think it went out of print but it is a great read.
We may question some of God's works (the platypus and the sea cucumber come to mind) but nobody can say that he didn't hit that parenting nail straight on the head (so to speak). "
real facts wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:15 PM:
"The dirty penneis are blessings the same as the shiney ones. It makes no difference".
it spells out perfectly how God loves his creation, and how we should. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 6, 2008 12:21 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:41 AM:
WY wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:36 AM:
My jar overflows. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:11 AM:
While I already knew that I have my own issues (not doubts) with God, this book has been incredibly helpful in opening my eyes to just how He desires to exist within our lives. Of course since this is a work of fiction and subject to the failings of the man who wrote it, when compared to my own life and how I have managed my relationships it has been an unbelievable few weeks. Clearly, having seven or so other men providing their input on how their lives have transpired has only raised the level of understanding on my part as to what my relationships with God and others 'should' be.
I would recommend 'The Shack' (and group discussion) to anyone desiring to take a serious inward view of their own lives and the relationships that we all value. Just a thought. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 6, 2008 7:34 AM:
Would any one of us permit our own child to be put to death in the most horrific manner by and for the most vile and contemptible people among us? Any Christian 'knows' that this is precisely what God did.
For me, there is absolutely no way that I would ever allow that to happen. I would undoubtedly offer to take my child's place (and then gladly do it); but to actually stand by and permit it to occur in order to salvage those who hate me (and my child) to their absolute cores? Nope. Not me. That is just part of God's love, albeit the most poignant part in my opinion.
For those who do not believe, this should have no effect. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 5, 2008 10:52 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:57 PM:
If everyone feels the same feeling in regard to their personal faith, how can we place one reality/deity over another?").
much like the answer about agape love, God defines it, we bow to that definition and incorporate it. anything short of that, is a "feeling". your smart enough to know voter, that feelings and emotions can lie to a person, telling them something is right, when it isn't.
how can you place one deity over another? by bowing to who God has differentiated himself to be, and he HAS in history. for those who have never heard of Jesus Christ as that door, i know Gods character to be fair and loving, and he would judge a man's heart as to whether it was truly after him, faking like they were, or hated him, and the reward of that would be just.
appealing to your common sense voter, you know it an impossibility that if there is a God, he was somehow "incapable" of telling us EXACTLY who he is. any man that doesn't know, doesn't want to know "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:44 PM:
nope, billy doesn't mock God, just like he said. no, he didn't just try and rip the faith out of your heart by mocking what YOU believe WY. billy knows full well you believe in that word, yet he purposefully tried to underhandedly disuade you away from it by saying "that God has never heard of".
i told you. pure evil driven by hatred, fueled by self justification. the guy can't respect ANYBODY'S faith. can't control himself, and thats a fact.
maybe now you can see why i deal with him the way i do. pure opposition toward God. has ZERO inclination toward God, nor the respect of others who do "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:36 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:29 PM:
" I guess I feel Him more than I've studied Him. ").
i guarantee you with 100% certainty, that what you said is worth 1,000 times more than "book knowledge".
churches are filled with people who know ALOT about Christ, but few that possess the heart to follow him.
it's not what you know, but who you know....and what you do with the knowledge that you DO posses about HIM at the time. it will never be about "how much" you know "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:24 PM:
wrong again.
completely discounting the influence of any man, and shoving aside that "man made book", it's obvious to anyoone that not seeking to justify their autonomy apart FROM God, knows there is a God. all that other stuff just soldifies that and backs that up. you excuse away God, because you knwo if you let me in, something will most likely have to change. and so you make up arguements against that even common sense couldn't justify.
in the end...."we" know. and in the end....you will know too. how foolish is your choice if you are wrong? "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:17 PM:
thats code for; anybody that tells you that what i do is sin, must be a liar.
if there is no man on this planet that knows how God works, that's only possible if there was no God. God spoke to men throughout history (and continues to do so) about who he is, and what he wants. billy just attempted to completely discount Gods ability to make himself known, because if billy can accomplish that, billy can do what ever he wants and define it as "good".
bad news for you billy. God spoke to man, and showed himself TO man thru various means including creation, and that APART from any document. your singing that song to yourself, and anyone else that seeks to justify behavior opposite of what God stated. this is where i remind you that homosexuality has never been accepted ever in the history of the world "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 9:08 PM:
OK, here's the secret...
Nobody knows").
no billy, even YOU know there is a God, and you feverishly try everyday to squash HIM from your life, so that you can justify your God opposite choices. just because you stick your fingers in your ears, doesn't mean history doesn't show exactly who God is. HE DID. unfortunately for you, God DID show us who he was, so that no one can excuse himself away any longer. that event trumps any and all emotions as to who God is, or if he exists at all. "feelings" don't define God. history does. by that statement to WY, you just demonstrated who you really are.....an evil little troll looking to rip the faith out of everyone in your way.....even WY.
no billy, you don't hate God. God haters don't try and strip others of their faith. no, your mission in here is pure isn't it? all you have ever done in here is attempt to rip the faith out of people. "
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:36 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:23 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:14 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 8:08 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:49 PM:
Let's sit here quietly and listen to his silliness... "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:39 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:35 PM:
Does he read these hate blogs populated by these would-be-gods?
All I know,WY,is the idiots that hang out here, standing on their pile of bibles pointing at everyone else yelling "DAMNED IMMORAL SINNER!!!" are over-compensating.
None of them has a clue what they're talking about.
I, however, can tell you the secret you seek.
I can tell you and I will.
Are you ready?
Scooch closer to the monitor.
Closer.
Ready?
OK, here's the secret...
Nobody knows.
That's it.
That's all.
All the talent in the freakshow that posts here has no idea. All they know is what mortal men told them or what they think they learned in a man-made book. In the end, they don't know.
You know who comes closest?
Voter.Voter gets it.
You know why I know that?
Because Voter doesn't claim to know all about God.
Voter asks thoughtful questions (that the Christian Taliban immediately dismiss).
The answer you must be satisfied with already resides inside you, WY. Anybody who tells you they know the facts of know how God works is a liar. "
Lodian wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:20 PM:
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 6:16 PM:
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 5:56 PM:
" I know the story where he over turned the tables on the steps of the temple. I want to know how Jesus handled gay people? or is there a difference between gays and straight to Him?").
now YOUR differentiating between sin. makes NO difference whether it's homo or hetero sexual sin. if you want to know how Christ handles gays, all you have to do is see how he handles anybody that won't repent of sin, that purposefully mocks God and seeks to justify sin. what does Jesus have to say about that-behavior-WY..??? "
real facts wrote on Aug 5, 2008 5:50 PM:
" I know the story where he over turned the tables on the steps of the temple. I want to know how Jesus handled gay people? or is there a difference between gays and straight to Him? or is a heart just a heart to Him? An a soul a soul. Was the whore that came to him turned away? hmmm? From my understanding she wasn't. And I think , if memories serves me, She was embraced with His love").
the woman repented of her sin, after God pointed out her-sin....billy-mocks-God-and-could-care-less-about-anything-BUT-justifying-his-sin....God-embraces-those-that-allow-for-his-love----therein-lies-the-difference "
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:57 PM:
My response to WY's question in this regard wasn't based upon anything other than what I believed (and still do); however, as with all things there are other definitions and/or interpretations for the 'same' thing. How she decides on this matter is, of course up to her.
Because WY indicated to me that she was new in her Christian life, I suggested that she take her concerns off-line and search out better qualified people to answer those questions. Anywhere on the Internet, there is absolutely no assurance of anyone's motives regarding virtually anything. For something as vitally important as one's salvation, I hope she takes that advice. "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:46 PM:
Geez, I thought you were upset with the monkey comment. I feel better. "
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:42 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:40 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:39 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:37 PM:
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:37 PM:
Man and his spirituality is personal and it is something he has to buy into and believe for it to become part of his being. "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:31 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:30 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:29 PM:
voter wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:28 PM:
In my travels, I have met indigenous peoples in remote places with some interesting deities and worship practices. I have met Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and people whose faith combines Catholocism with their native beliefs (Haitians and Incans). In all cases, people report intense spiritual experiences, prayers answered, and/or love from their God, or a spiritual connection with the universe or a higher power. If everyone feels the same feeling in regard to their personal faith, how can we place one reality/deity over another? What is the explanation for this phenomena, other than the innate human need for spiritual connection? "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:28 PM:
We could do a 3 way "get 'er done" party. I am gain. I am free... you pay Shell and buy me lunch... hee hee
But lock that monkey up. I do not like him.. sam I am. "
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:26 PM:
I know He doesn't like it when we throw our chores to the waist side. oups... I think I'll be OK this time being we yammered about Him all day.
I HAVE to go! for reals "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:26 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:24 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:22 PM:
Billy... I forgot. The He changed water to wine. What's up with that? He liked to have fun and laugh. He wore a smock and sandles. Ya gotta love that! "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:17 PM:
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:15 PM:
Now... the dishes "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:13 PM:
Trust your heart. "
sam wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:10 PM:
1. the love of God or Christ for humankind.
2. the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Aug 5, 2008 4:02 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:59 PM:
This is why I suggest you speak with someone face-to-face about these questions that you need answered. I'm afraid that here you may end up being pushed around for the benefit of someone else's agenda. "
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:52 PM:
I'm charged now, and want to read for myself. I can't possible debate the word. Merely strive to understand . "
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:43 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:20 PM:
I only attempted to reinforce the fact that murder is a sin, in spite of others who insist that it is not. Obviously I didn't understand your thoughts in this regard. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:18 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:14 PM:
This is the heart and soul of the gift provided by God through the crucifixion of Jesus. The 'eternal life' to which the verse refers is living with God (in Heaven) after our lives here are done. By choosing not to believe in him (Jesus), the result is eternal separation from God; not in Heaven.
Actually this is specific to our existence for eternity; not something that Christians take lightly at all. "
WY wrote on Aug 5, 2008 3:03 PM:
I will reread what you both have offered. Time to move on with my day...sorry I have to go. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:54 PM:
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:52 PM:
What exactly are you trying to find? I am somewhat confused. "
girard74 wrote on Aug 5, 2008 2:51 PM: