ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews) (02/09/85)
Hi,
Some thoughts and interesting tidbits. Harold Hill
has an excellent book out called "God's in Charge Here." He talks
about some of his personal failures, how everything isn't rosey,
peachy-keen when you walk as a Christian, and how there isn't a pat
answer that can be given for every situation. One thing he mentions
that I have done is shoot "Bible bullets" - throw out a standard
Bible verse at someone that either `solves' their problems or shows them
`the way for' or `the errors in' their life. The Bible is a beautiful
Love letter that instructs some, is a stumbling stone for others;
neither the instructed nor the stumbler any better or worse than the
other since any good in us is God in us [Ps 16:2 - kapow :-) ], not
something we dredged up all by our lonesomes. And it's not to be
watered down to meet our biases - that's a tough one since
we all have biases. Yet we are told not to add or delete from it.
Not one of us hasn't stumbled on something. Maybe allowing us to
stumble is just one of many different ways God asks us to learn from Him.
Regarding the statements about gays made lately on the net - I don't
have any easy answers. I know what I believe the Bible clearly says
regarding the gay life style. My children will not be taught that the
gay life style is an alternate life style that they may choose, nor will
they be taught that gays are to be hated and abused, anymore than straights.
I also know what He says about being the judge of others, whether its
straights judging gays or gays judging straights. At the very least we
can treat each other as enemies, then we'll have to all Love one another
since that is what we are commanded, not asked, to do with our enemies.
Even pray for each other. Not a bad way to treat our spouse, neighbors,
fellow workers, fellow church members, members of other faiths, .... ,
when it's hard to Love them. Didn't say easy, just said not bad.
"God helps those that help themselves" is NOT IN THE BIBLE.
Guess who said it - Benjamin Franklin (ask your local library info
center, they'll confirm this!). But then, you do have to remember that
he did stand in a storm flying a kite. Not to mention that he wanted
the American bird to be the wild turkey instead of the bald eagle.
(No, this is not a political or social comment.) Would you buy a
used car from this man? Then why quote him as if God had said it? :-)
:-) :-) :-) [big chuckle!]
God Bless you all today and always.
--
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