So I admit, I go to foxnews.com to get my news updates. Well, there was an article on there tonight that struck me as scary and a bit prophetic (if any of you remember me talking about certain bills getting passed that could make it illegal to be a Christian). Here is a link to that article.
The gist of it, homosexuality will be protected under a bill that is about Hate-Crime speech. In this new bill, it will be illegal to speak things that can be considered hate crimes. Did you catch that? It will be illegal to speak against homosexuality.
Where will this stop?
I had talked in the past to my former youth group about bills that were close to being passed that would make it illegal to display offensive material in public. We discussed how this could lead to making Christianity illegal (after all... a lot of the things that Christ stands for ... they're offensive to the world). Well, this isn't the same bill, but it's pretty close.
A quote from the article reads as such, "Social conservatives, including former President George W. Bush, have fought the legislation on the grounds it could be used to prosecute religious groups who say homosexuality is morally wrong."
With Democrats now controlling the White House and the House of Reps, its looking like the bill is now going to be passed. The House of Reps passed the bill on Wednesday with a vote of 249 to 175. All that needs to happen now (if I remember back to my History classes correctly) is Obama to sign the bill. His past remarks and background already speak about his approval of same sex marriages.
So I want to pose a question for anyone who reads this. Leave me your answers in a comment.
Q: If this bill gets passed, will you still (in the words of the article) "say that homosexuality is morally wrong"? How (if at all) will this change the way churches or individuals who proclaim Christ as their King speak about homosexuality?
A: leave it in the comments
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
p.s. I don't want anyone to think that I'm a homo-phobe or go around bashing homosexuality since this is my 2nd posting about the topic. It's just a topic that's huge right now in the news and in the media. For my views on homosexuality, look back to my first posting about Miss California's response.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wiped Out Hard Drive...
So a local college here in Logan had a free "Computer Clean Up" day. You took in your computer, and they would clean up any spyware, viruses, malware, etc... that was on the machine. I thought "sweet" so I took jenny's laptop in to get it cleaned up and my daughters computer (which use to be my old college computer). This was at 8:30 this morning. I got the computers back at like 7:00pm. The head of the IT department informed me that my wife's computer was so bad, it wouldn't update any new updates or drivers or anything and was so bogged down with viruses that he had to format the whole computer (luckily for him... and for me... he backed up all of her pictures and resume stuff and documents first). Then he proceeded to start w/ a clean computer and put back on the stuff that we wanted/needed to be on there. So now, her computer works like a brand new one. This guy, the head of the IT department, worked on this one computer for 10 1/2 hours. This was the only one that he touched (he had a group working with him on other ones). This got the gears in my head turning. (for some reason i can't stop that from happening... i always gotta connect the dots to God)
Wouldn't it be nice to have your life be a lot like a computer? Well, actually, when you think about it, it is. We learn new applications, save stuff in our lives, get bogged down, things rarely work the way we expect them to work, and we get caught up in viruses and spyware (sin and temptations). The awesome thing that exists, is when we sit back and realize how messed up our hard drives (lives) are, we have a way of formatting ourselves. If we're already a Christian, its looking to God and laying it all out before him and asking him to help us and forgive us, wipe us clean. If we're not a Christian, then there's a lot more virus infecting us. We need the original boot disk. We need the washing of Christ to take away all the junk and make us new. And again, just like the computer, we can save the pictures, the documents, and the things from our old lives. The bad part about that, a lot of times, (just as in computers), the very things we try to bring over to the clean slate with us, are the very things that are infected w/ the virus. Does that make sense? If in a computer, you want to bring over a file called, oh i dunno, friends.exe you can do that. You can have the file backed up and installed on the new hard drive. The problem however, is that the file, may be corrupted with the virus or whatever that you are trying to get rid of. So guess what happens when you put that file back on the clean computer. Right, it gets all messed up again. Well, with our lives, we try to carry over the same friends, the same lifestyles, the same bad habits we had when we were infected. The result? The same as with the computer.
My moral for this story? You've got to be careful what files you have backed up and re-installed. They may be the very files that got you into the mess in the first place.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
Wouldn't it be nice to have your life be a lot like a computer? Well, actually, when you think about it, it is. We learn new applications, save stuff in our lives, get bogged down, things rarely work the way we expect them to work, and we get caught up in viruses and spyware (sin and temptations). The awesome thing that exists, is when we sit back and realize how messed up our hard drives (lives) are, we have a way of formatting ourselves. If we're already a Christian, its looking to God and laying it all out before him and asking him to help us and forgive us, wipe us clean. If we're not a Christian, then there's a lot more virus infecting us. We need the original boot disk. We need the washing of Christ to take away all the junk and make us new. And again, just like the computer, we can save the pictures, the documents, and the things from our old lives. The bad part about that, a lot of times, (just as in computers), the very things we try to bring over to the clean slate with us, are the very things that are infected w/ the virus. Does that make sense? If in a computer, you want to bring over a file called, oh i dunno, friends.exe you can do that. You can have the file backed up and installed on the new hard drive. The problem however, is that the file, may be corrupted with the virus or whatever that you are trying to get rid of. So guess what happens when you put that file back on the clean computer. Right, it gets all messed up again. Well, with our lives, we try to carry over the same friends, the same lifestyles, the same bad habits we had when we were infected. The result? The same as with the computer.
My moral for this story? You've got to be careful what files you have backed up and re-installed. They may be the very files that got you into the mess in the first place.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Things To Never Do: #41
So, you know how in books and movies it's always funny when someone feeds a baby, then kinda gives them a lil jiggle, and then hands them to someone, letting them throw up all over the person? Yes, you'd think I'd learn after the first time.
Tonight, my son had just finished eating his dinner (sweet potatoes and chicken) when I picked him up and started doing this over the head spinning thing I do w/ him that makes him laugh.
In the middle of me doing this, I look up and get ready to say "come on.. say 'da-da' " when what comes from his mouth? That's correct, his sweet potatoes and chicken. Where does it land? Right in my mouth. Not just in my mouth, but it goes down my throat.
yeah... never... ever... ever... do that lol
Jpack
Tonight, my son had just finished eating his dinner (sweet potatoes and chicken) when I picked him up and started doing this over the head spinning thing I do w/ him that makes him laugh.
In the middle of me doing this, I look up and get ready to say "come on.. say 'da-da' " when what comes from his mouth? That's correct, his sweet potatoes and chicken. Where does it land? Right in my mouth. Not just in my mouth, but it goes down my throat.
yeah... never... ever... ever... do that lol
Jpack
Monday, April 27, 2009
Not sitting well... pt 2
Okay, so now for part 2 of my little rant.
Another thing that was said during the sermon was that when we become Christ's, we are given a blood transfusion (I'm ok with that statement). We get new DNA and have that of Christ (on a spiritual level.. yes I agree). But then it went on and was said that when we get this new Blood DNA, we no longer have to worry about family histories of illness. And I quote "My family has a history of diabetes, a history of cancer, a history of heart problems... but not me... not any more... I've been given a new DNA... a new blood in my body... I don't have those problems in my life b/c I have Jesus..." and ending the quote b/c this next part will be paraphrased, but he said that as a follower of Christ, we don't have to worry about getting sick, or illness or terminal illnesses b/c if we truly follow Christ, none of that will happen to us. We'll always be healthy.
What? Seriously? Interesting. Paul at the end of one of this letters talks about his handwriting and how he was writing this part on his own and how that showed the specialness of it b/c Paul had bad eye sight. Guess Paul didn't really follow Jesus then. What about Moses (I know, he's OT but still)... He had a stuttering problem. Guess he didn't really seek God. What about people I know in my own personal life who struggle w/ arthritis in their backs, who have complete deafness in one ear, who have cancer at this very moment and fight for their lives? Do they not follow God? I was angered by this man's statement. I even have a friend who is a member at this church who suffers from seizures and has almost lost her life to these struggles. How can she sit and honestly hear this and feel good about being there knowing she still has the seizures?
Nowhere in the Bible my dear friends does it say that we'll never have illness or hardship or struggles. It's actually quite the opposite. Jesus even said people will hate us b/c of Him. Numerous times we see people sick in the Bible. We see people who are downcast, people who have physical ailments. What happens to these people? They push on even with their problems and serve God and go on to write books of the Bible, to lead nations back to God, to bear children when there is no way they should be able to give birth.
I could go on and on and talk about the "healing classes" the church teaches on how to "divinly heal physical handicaps", the woman who ran 3 laps around the auditorium during the sermon when the preacher said he was "getting happy in the spirit" and started stomping his feet, or how they had everyone take communion (even the little children all the way down in the nursery). But those will be topics possibly for future posts.
Now please understand, I did not write these two posts as a bashing of this church. Not by any means. In all honesty, my family and I were made to feel very welcomed there. The building was beautiful, the people there were extremely friendly and went out of their way to talk to us and show us around and even to show us where our children would go for their classes. One man even let us know that he would be walking the halls of the church checking on the classes, and would come and give us updates on our daughter in her class if we would like. People came up and shook our hands, welcomed us, ministers, elders, deacons, members... a lot of people did. Even some of the younger people. I know a lot of churches that could learn a lot from the friendliness of this congregation.
However, all that aside, those few things I talked in detail about, I could not overlook. These are problems with doctrine in my eyes. You can agree with me or not. It's up to you.
But as for me and my family, we're still looking for a church home here. Let's see where God leads us.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
Another thing that was said during the sermon was that when we become Christ's, we are given a blood transfusion (I'm ok with that statement). We get new DNA and have that of Christ (on a spiritual level.. yes I agree). But then it went on and was said that when we get this new Blood DNA, we no longer have to worry about family histories of illness. And I quote "My family has a history of diabetes, a history of cancer, a history of heart problems... but not me... not any more... I've been given a new DNA... a new blood in my body... I don't have those problems in my life b/c I have Jesus..." and ending the quote b/c this next part will be paraphrased, but he said that as a follower of Christ, we don't have to worry about getting sick, or illness or terminal illnesses b/c if we truly follow Christ, none of that will happen to us. We'll always be healthy.
What? Seriously? Interesting. Paul at the end of one of this letters talks about his handwriting and how he was writing this part on his own and how that showed the specialness of it b/c Paul had bad eye sight. Guess Paul didn't really follow Jesus then. What about Moses (I know, he's OT but still)... He had a stuttering problem. Guess he didn't really seek God. What about people I know in my own personal life who struggle w/ arthritis in their backs, who have complete deafness in one ear, who have cancer at this very moment and fight for their lives? Do they not follow God? I was angered by this man's statement. I even have a friend who is a member at this church who suffers from seizures and has almost lost her life to these struggles. How can she sit and honestly hear this and feel good about being there knowing she still has the seizures?
Nowhere in the Bible my dear friends does it say that we'll never have illness or hardship or struggles. It's actually quite the opposite. Jesus even said people will hate us b/c of Him. Numerous times we see people sick in the Bible. We see people who are downcast, people who have physical ailments. What happens to these people? They push on even with their problems and serve God and go on to write books of the Bible, to lead nations back to God, to bear children when there is no way they should be able to give birth.
I could go on and on and talk about the "healing classes" the church teaches on how to "divinly heal physical handicaps", the woman who ran 3 laps around the auditorium during the sermon when the preacher said he was "getting happy in the spirit" and started stomping his feet, or how they had everyone take communion (even the little children all the way down in the nursery). But those will be topics possibly for future posts.
Now please understand, I did not write these two posts as a bashing of this church. Not by any means. In all honesty, my family and I were made to feel very welcomed there. The building was beautiful, the people there were extremely friendly and went out of their way to talk to us and show us around and even to show us where our children would go for their classes. One man even let us know that he would be walking the halls of the church checking on the classes, and would come and give us updates on our daughter in her class if we would like. People came up and shook our hands, welcomed us, ministers, elders, deacons, members... a lot of people did. Even some of the younger people. I know a lot of churches that could learn a lot from the friendliness of this congregation.
However, all that aside, those few things I talked in detail about, I could not overlook. These are problems with doctrine in my eyes. You can agree with me or not. It's up to you.
But as for me and my family, we're still looking for a church home here. Let's see where God leads us.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Not sitting well...pt 1
So this morning, my family and I visited a church in the Logan area. Needless to say, some things did not sit well with me that occurred, and I'm wanting to figure out a way to bring some things up to the minister.
Now, I understand that some things are going to be different. This was still a nondenominational church, but it was charismatic. Meaning, they believed in baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts (such as tongues and healings etc...), and the sinner's prayer. I knew all of this going in to the Sunday morning time.
The singing was very uplifting and I quite enjoyed it. The music minister had a choir behind him in robes and all and was singing to recorded music, but none of that is still the matters that made me uneasy.
What I'm talking about is some of the things the minister said during his sermon.
He was teaching a series about the Tabernacle. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an expert on the Tabernacle, but I know a few things. Of course, like with most ministers (I can say that b/c I 'm one of them) he got off on side topics and chased white rabbits. But one of the things he started talking about was how God has not only promised us 70 years, he's promised us 120 years of life on this earth. That we should want those long lives and that we will live our lives until we are satisfied on this earth, and thats what its all about. I have some MAJOR issues with those statements. God does tell us that our days are numbered. Nowhere, that i know of does he make the promise that all of mankind will live at least 120 years or simply until we're satisfied. And I know for SURE that's not the purpose of this life. Paul wrote that "to live is Christ, but to die is gain". (Phil 1:21) In this passage, Paul is telling us that while we live here, it's for Christ - to teach about Christ, to spread Christ, to further the Gospel of Christ (not for us to be satisfied), but that to die, that's even better b/c we'll be w/ Jesus! So the question is now, "Do I want to live 120 years on this earth?" No way jose! If God wants me to, then I will, and I will do everything in me to live it for Christ, but I LONG for the day that I get to be in heaven and worship God as He was meant to be worshiped.
(to be continued in another post)...
jpack
Now, I understand that some things are going to be different. This was still a nondenominational church, but it was charismatic. Meaning, they believed in baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts (such as tongues and healings etc...), and the sinner's prayer. I knew all of this going in to the Sunday morning time.
The singing was very uplifting and I quite enjoyed it. The music minister had a choir behind him in robes and all and was singing to recorded music, but none of that is still the matters that made me uneasy.
What I'm talking about is some of the things the minister said during his sermon.
He was teaching a series about the Tabernacle. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an expert on the Tabernacle, but I know a few things. Of course, like with most ministers (I can say that b/c I 'm one of them) he got off on side topics and chased white rabbits. But one of the things he started talking about was how God has not only promised us 70 years, he's promised us 120 years of life on this earth. That we should want those long lives and that we will live our lives until we are satisfied on this earth, and thats what its all about. I have some MAJOR issues with those statements. God does tell us that our days are numbered. Nowhere, that i know of does he make the promise that all of mankind will live at least 120 years or simply until we're satisfied. And I know for SURE that's not the purpose of this life. Paul wrote that "to live is Christ, but to die is gain". (Phil 1:21) In this passage, Paul is telling us that while we live here, it's for Christ - to teach about Christ, to spread Christ, to further the Gospel of Christ (not for us to be satisfied), but that to die, that's even better b/c we'll be w/ Jesus! So the question is now, "Do I want to live 120 years on this earth?" No way jose! If God wants me to, then I will, and I will do everything in me to live it for Christ, but I LONG for the day that I get to be in heaven and worship God as He was meant to be worshiped.
(to be continued in another post)...
jpack
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Leave it to me
So nice weather has hit and leave it to me... I've already got poison ivy on my arm. Yes. It's true. It started as one little blister on my arm, now its like 6 on my forearm and a few on my elbow. I haven't even been around it (at least I didn't think I had). For anyone who remembers my episode w/ Poison Ivy in Louisville a few years ago... yeah... that wasn't pretty. Looked like I had leprosy. So say a prayer for me that this doesn't engulf my whole body (and I don't pass it on to anyone in my family... specially the kids)... Thanks!!!
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
p.s. leave some comments peeps.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
Jpack
p.s. leave some comments peeps.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Like a child...
Today I did what few men would ever venture to do. I took my 8 month old son to walmart, just us. lol. As he and I were going through the store, just looking around and picking up some carrots for a roast I was making (yes... i cook), everyone in the store it seemed was walking by pointing at my son and saying "aww look how cute the baby is" and "its a baby!" (a few times i felt like saying, "no... he's my twin.. he's just really little for his age")
And this got me thinking...
Typically when you see a cute little kid anywhere, what's your first reaction? To look at the kid and do the whole "awww" thing. In some people seeing a child will either make them want one or want to be one again.
So many different times in the Bible we see Jesus talking w/ his disciples and children coming to him. The disciples start telling the kids to get lost, but Jesus rebukes them and tells them to let the kids come to him. He then even goes on to say that if we want to get to heaven, we've got to be like these children.
Now, I've heard a lot of things gleened from these sayings of Christ. (believe things the way a child would, be curious like a child, etc...) but something dawned on me today as I pushed my son through walmart in a cart and everyone was looking at him. Be like a child. As Christians, when we walk through this world, we need to live our lives differently than how the everyone else does. We need to live in such a way, that when someone sees us, they stop and go "awww look at that... it's a Christ-follower... I want what they have".
When was the last time that people stopped what they were doing and wanted to know why you were different from the culture we live in? Has that ever happened? Why not?
Be like the little children. Be the person that catches the world's eye and makes them either want to be around Christ or want to be his follower.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world
Jpack
And this got me thinking...
Typically when you see a cute little kid anywhere, what's your first reaction? To look at the kid and do the whole "awww" thing. In some people seeing a child will either make them want one or want to be one again.
So many different times in the Bible we see Jesus talking w/ his disciples and children coming to him. The disciples start telling the kids to get lost, but Jesus rebukes them and tells them to let the kids come to him. He then even goes on to say that if we want to get to heaven, we've got to be like these children.
Now, I've heard a lot of things gleened from these sayings of Christ. (believe things the way a child would, be curious like a child, etc...) but something dawned on me today as I pushed my son through walmart in a cart and everyone was looking at him. Be like a child. As Christians, when we walk through this world, we need to live our lives differently than how the everyone else does. We need to live in such a way, that when someone sees us, they stop and go "awww look at that... it's a Christ-follower... I want what they have".
When was the last time that people stopped what they were doing and wanted to know why you were different from the culture we live in? Has that ever happened? Why not?
Be like the little children. Be the person that catches the world's eye and makes them either want to be around Christ or want to be his follower.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world
Jpack
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Miss California and Gay Marriage
Ok, I read an article on FoxNews.com and it made me want to start my own blog. I've had blogs before... but this will be one of my own.
The article I read referred to Miss California's response when asked by blogger Perez Hilton about gay marriage. Her response was, "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." Now my problem is not w/ her response. It's with the backlash Miss C is getting from practically EVERYONE in hollywood and in the beauty world.
The guy who runs the Miss C pagent said that he was saddenned by her response and that it hurt him deeply. Heidi Montag from The Hills said that she is a strong Christian and, ""Lesbians should have the same government rights that Spencer and I will when we get married. So, yes, this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage. God says not to judge and I would never try to judge ANYONE! Nor should our "free" country." An anchor for E! News called Miss C a disgrace. Many in hollywood are saying that Miss C should be stripped of her crown.
First, WHAT?!? Seriously? The question asked for her opinion. She gave it. Period. Agree with it or not, she gave what she thought. Secondly, Heidi Montag... "this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage... God says not to judge" God also says (actually I'm pretty sure he says it more than the judgement verse that you misquoted and misapplied) that homosexuality is a sin in His eyes. Premarital sex is a sin. Murder is a sin. Lying is a sin. It is very clear in God's Word. Homosexuals, murderers, liars, cowards, etc... will not inherit the kingdom of God. I do not understand how a person can stand and call themself a Christian and in the same breath say that they approve of gay marriage.
As for the anchor for E! News and for the guy who runs the Miss C thing. Wow. I think it is a far cry of being a disgrace and causing saddness. I could see if she stood up and said "I think it's perfectly fine to beat women and murder children." Then yes, that would be a disgrace and would cause me saddness. But honestly, the fact that she believes marriage is between a man and a woman?
To make a long rant short (well not really... it's pretty long) this is but an example of what is wrong with our culture. Where is the morality that existed a few decades ago? It's also being said that her statement is what cost her the crown of being Miss USA. I bet that makes the winner (Miss NC) feel really good. "Hey Miss NC... you won b/c Miss C doesn't like gay people."
Whatever comes of all this, I hope that those who support her will let her know. I hope that this will not cause people to hide their true feelings and beliefs.
As for me, I believe very strongly that marriage is between a man and a woman. I also believe it is wrong to steal, kill, lie, and be mean to puppy dogs (unless they go # 2 in your yard). You can agree with me or disagree with me. Its up to you.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
jpack
The article I read referred to Miss California's response when asked by blogger Perez Hilton about gay marriage. Her response was, "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." Now my problem is not w/ her response. It's with the backlash Miss C is getting from practically EVERYONE in hollywood and in the beauty world.
The guy who runs the Miss C pagent said that he was saddenned by her response and that it hurt him deeply. Heidi Montag from The Hills said that she is a strong Christian and, ""Lesbians should have the same government rights that Spencer and I will when we get married. So, yes, this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage. God says not to judge and I would never try to judge ANYONE! Nor should our "free" country." An anchor for E! News called Miss C a disgrace. Many in hollywood are saying that Miss C should be stripped of her crown.
First, WHAT?!? Seriously? The question asked for her opinion. She gave it. Period. Agree with it or not, she gave what she thought. Secondly, Heidi Montag... "this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage... God says not to judge" God also says (actually I'm pretty sure he says it more than the judgement verse that you misquoted and misapplied) that homosexuality is a sin in His eyes. Premarital sex is a sin. Murder is a sin. Lying is a sin. It is very clear in God's Word. Homosexuals, murderers, liars, cowards, etc... will not inherit the kingdom of God. I do not understand how a person can stand and call themself a Christian and in the same breath say that they approve of gay marriage.
As for the anchor for E! News and for the guy who runs the Miss C thing. Wow. I think it is a far cry of being a disgrace and causing saddness. I could see if she stood up and said "I think it's perfectly fine to beat women and murder children." Then yes, that would be a disgrace and would cause me saddness. But honestly, the fact that she believes marriage is between a man and a woman?
To make a long rant short (well not really... it's pretty long) this is but an example of what is wrong with our culture. Where is the morality that existed a few decades ago? It's also being said that her statement is what cost her the crown of being Miss USA. I bet that makes the winner (Miss NC) feel really good. "Hey Miss NC... you won b/c Miss C doesn't like gay people."
Whatever comes of all this, I hope that those who support her will let her know. I hope that this will not cause people to hide their true feelings and beliefs.
As for me, I believe very strongly that marriage is between a man and a woman. I also believe it is wrong to steal, kill, lie, and be mean to puppy dogs (unless they go # 2 in your yard). You can agree with me or disagree with me. Its up to you.
Love God... Love people... Serve the world...
jpack
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