in the town of pulaski, ny there is a theatre. i have to drive by it everyday as i head to and from work. it is an old duplex that is not used anymore. the sign however is now used for public announcments and advertisments. this morning jenny told me that when she was driving by it last night she saw a "public profession." sure enough when i drove by it this moring it read, "kathy, i am so sorry. please forgive me. john w." i am pretty sure i do not know either of these people and even more positive that i do not know what john did. but this i do know
it is hard to apologize to someone you hurt. hard, but essential. if there is no sorrow and no apology then there can be no forgiveness. with no forgiveness there can be no reconciliation. no to make an apology puplic that takes real guts. and it shows how sorry one can be to go through the length that he did to make it knowledge to everyone in town that he was in the wrong. i am positive somebody in town knows the situation and possibly more people then kathy were hurt during this event.
this might be a cheesy transition but forgiveness is out there for us all. all we need to do is apologize for our wrongs (sin) to the one (Christ) who has the ability to forgive. we are wanting that connection and reconciliation with a savior but without the repentance it is impossible.
every one of us knows when we are doing wrong. we have a thing called a conscience and with this guilt can creep up inside of us. hopefully this guilt turns us repentance rather then running away from what we know is right and can save us. this guilt can turn us into someone who believes that no one would ever save him, because he is so awful. the awesome thing is this guilt can be outweighed by grace. grace is always there for us. we have to reach out and grab it.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
toys r us kid
it seems to me lately that i have responsibility. i get up every morning at the sound of an alarm clock, making me realize that i have somewhere i need to be. other wise i wouldn't use an alarm clock. i wake up in order to go to my job, a job that i love, but yet still a responsibility. i go to this job (youth pastor at pulaski wesleyan church) for more than a paycheck. although the paycheck is necessary. i need it to pay the bills. another responsibility. this past december i took 22 teens to boston and i was responsible for there welfare and to bring them back alive. i am married and need to be there to take care or annd respect my wife and love her as Christ loved the church. a responsibility that is hardest for me not because i do not love my wife but because Christ had a perfect love.
im starting to realize i am not a toys r us kid anymore. even though i still like some of the toys. i am realizing my parents are not going to be the ones to purchase the toy for me anymore. i am not sure why i am realizing this now, because for the most part i have been on my own the last 6 1/2 years. what i am realizing though as much as i have grown and changed i am still a kid.
think about it though. i think adults are just kids in a bigger harrier body. we still enjoy games. in fact it seems that i play more games now then i ever did when i was a kid. we still love to be the center of attention. admit it, deep down inside you really want to be noticed and appreciated. we still get jealous and complain about another indivual if they are the ones receiving notice. we still jump to conclusions before we know all the facts. we become emotional when things are not going our way. we are selfish, greedy and prideful. we cannot control our desires even though we know it is possible.
now along with the bad side of a kid there are some good things that i hold onto about being a child. i like being carefree, not always being weighed down by a watch. remember when you were a kid and the day just passed so quickly and before you knew it you were late for dinner. now i am never late for dinner. kids also dont mind asking questions. they dont care if it will sound dumb or that they didnt know the answer. it is just common place for them not to know the answer. they admit when sorry and are very forthcoming about what they think.
all these can be good and bad. but i wonder what actually seperates us from being a child. is it the idea of responsibility or is it more the idea of age. is there any limit to when we have to stop being children. or is it just when you have become old enough that you have a hard time pretending anymore. it was so easy pretending to be in the nba or fighting a war. but things change and the pretending has become more of a reality for us. we realize that we have bills to pay and children to feed (well you have children to feed.)
we talk about having a child like faith and making belief so easy. but now as adults we have gotten into theology and apologetics to prove to us God is in a fact real. faith is not what it used to be, but it hasnt changed, we have. faith has now become more about perserverance rather then hope. sure we still hope but now it is more along the line that we have enough faith at times that we know it will happen and yet at others we hold onto just enough of the basics where we become a child again and just believe
im starting to realize i am not a toys r us kid anymore. even though i still like some of the toys. i am realizing my parents are not going to be the ones to purchase the toy for me anymore. i am not sure why i am realizing this now, because for the most part i have been on my own the last 6 1/2 years. what i am realizing though as much as i have grown and changed i am still a kid.
think about it though. i think adults are just kids in a bigger harrier body. we still enjoy games. in fact it seems that i play more games now then i ever did when i was a kid. we still love to be the center of attention. admit it, deep down inside you really want to be noticed and appreciated. we still get jealous and complain about another indivual if they are the ones receiving notice. we still jump to conclusions before we know all the facts. we become emotional when things are not going our way. we are selfish, greedy and prideful. we cannot control our desires even though we know it is possible.
now along with the bad side of a kid there are some good things that i hold onto about being a child. i like being carefree, not always being weighed down by a watch. remember when you were a kid and the day just passed so quickly and before you knew it you were late for dinner. now i am never late for dinner. kids also dont mind asking questions. they dont care if it will sound dumb or that they didnt know the answer. it is just common place for them not to know the answer. they admit when sorry and are very forthcoming about what they think.
all these can be good and bad. but i wonder what actually seperates us from being a child. is it the idea of responsibility or is it more the idea of age. is there any limit to when we have to stop being children. or is it just when you have become old enough that you have a hard time pretending anymore. it was so easy pretending to be in the nba or fighting a war. but things change and the pretending has become more of a reality for us. we realize that we have bills to pay and children to feed (well you have children to feed.)
we talk about having a child like faith and making belief so easy. but now as adults we have gotten into theology and apologetics to prove to us God is in a fact real. faith is not what it used to be, but it hasnt changed, we have. faith has now become more about perserverance rather then hope. sure we still hope but now it is more along the line that we have enough faith at times that we know it will happen and yet at others we hold onto just enough of the basics where we become a child again and just believe
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
capital punishment
i am sorting out my views on capital punishment. please let me know what your views are?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
knowing what we belive:homosexuality
The Wesleyans stance is this on homosexuality.
Human Sexuality. The Wesleyan Church abhors the trend to
ignore God’s laws of chastity and purity, and vigorously opposes public
acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors and practices which promote
it. The Wesleyan Church maintains a biblical view of human sexuality which
makes the sexual experience, within the framework of marriage, a gift of God
to be enjoyed as communion of a man and woman, as well as for the purpose
of procreation. Sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual
relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. The
depth of the sinfulness of homosexual practice is recognized, and yet we
believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome both the practice of such
activity and the perversion leading to its practice.
I am sure everyone at least knows one, or is affected by it somehow. We see it on the news almost daily. We discuss it with our friends and we try to “love the sinner.” Somehow “this sin” is ugly and disgusting. Somehow we label this one of the most detestable sins. I wonder with this stigma of homosexuality if we really love the sinner.
If we (Christians) talk about it like this we are probably turning away the individuals who are living this lifestyle. I wonder why we have chosen to chastise the homosexual, and instead of loving the sinner why we just cannot love the individual.
We know scripture. We know that Leviticus 18:22 says it is a detestable sin. But I wonder how many sins are not detestable in God’s eyes. Is there any sin that God says, “that is okay. I do not care if you disobey me and my authority.” In 1 Cor. 6:9-10 it says, “Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers--none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.” In the same line with homosexuals there are thieves and greedy people, drunkard and abusers; which none of these will share in the Kingdom of God. It is not separated but yet they sit beside each other in the same phrase condemning both. Not one is right; in fact they are all sin and tear us away from a true relationship with our Father.
I am not trying to advocate homosexuality; the word says it is wrong. But the word also says that greed is immoral. Do we point someone out as being greedy and going to hell? Well some of you might, but I do not see it happen near as much as I would hear a homosexual condemned.
So how do we as Christians accept the individual without condoning what they do? How do we not just accept but how do we love the one we know who is in the wrong. Personally I am a sinner. I know I am in the wrong and mess up a lot. I know people have accepted and love me as I have wronged God. Everyone wants grace but not the first to give it.
Human Sexuality. The Wesleyan Church abhors the trend to
ignore God’s laws of chastity and purity, and vigorously opposes public
acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors and practices which promote
it. The Wesleyan Church maintains a biblical view of human sexuality which
makes the sexual experience, within the framework of marriage, a gift of God
to be enjoyed as communion of a man and woman, as well as for the purpose
of procreation. Sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual
relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. The
depth of the sinfulness of homosexual practice is recognized, and yet we
believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome both the practice of such
activity and the perversion leading to its practice.
I am sure everyone at least knows one, or is affected by it somehow. We see it on the news almost daily. We discuss it with our friends and we try to “love the sinner.” Somehow “this sin” is ugly and disgusting. Somehow we label this one of the most detestable sins. I wonder with this stigma of homosexuality if we really love the sinner.
If we (Christians) talk about it like this we are probably turning away the individuals who are living this lifestyle. I wonder why we have chosen to chastise the homosexual, and instead of loving the sinner why we just cannot love the individual.
We know scripture. We know that Leviticus 18:22 says it is a detestable sin. But I wonder how many sins are not detestable in God’s eyes. Is there any sin that God says, “that is okay. I do not care if you disobey me and my authority.” In 1 Cor. 6:9-10 it says, “Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers--none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.” In the same line with homosexuals there are thieves and greedy people, drunkard and abusers; which none of these will share in the Kingdom of God. It is not separated but yet they sit beside each other in the same phrase condemning both. Not one is right; in fact they are all sin and tear us away from a true relationship with our Father.
I am not trying to advocate homosexuality; the word says it is wrong. But the word also says that greed is immoral. Do we point someone out as being greedy and going to hell? Well some of you might, but I do not see it happen near as much as I would hear a homosexual condemned.
So how do we as Christians accept the individual without condoning what they do? How do we not just accept but how do we love the one we know who is in the wrong. Personally I am a sinner. I know I am in the wrong and mess up a lot. I know people have accepted and love me as I have wronged God. Everyone wants grace but not the first to give it.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
knowing what we believe: military service
in high school i considered military service for a lot of reasons. i even met with representatives from the army and navy but for some reason i opted not to join the armed forces and went to college instead. at iwu i met many people who served in the national guard. when i graduated i went to what is the "real world" and it seemed the majority of people i came into contact with was or had served in one of the military branches.
while i was in my junior year of college 9/11 happened i felt a longing to serve my country as som many had before. for some reason i didnt. while i saw a few friends go over to iraq and afghanistan, i longed to be apart of something bigger then myself. i wanted to help. but didnt know how i could.
a good friend of mine is now back from iraq after serving a year there as a captain in the army. he was awarded several medals showing his bravery and leadership during the war. i sit and think about the brave men and women over there serving and wonder what if that were me. i couldnt join because i have a condition called scoliosis. i have a crooked back.
i love my country and would join in a minute if i could but i also know on top of my back God had some control in me not going over there. he knew that he needed me here serving as a youth pastor and that was more important (for myself) in being a part of His kingdom serving being in something bigger then myself.
the wesleyan church takes a a stand on peace and military service and i just wanted to bring it to your attention what they do believe.
(2) Peace. The Wesleyan Church, knowing that war results in great
suffering for the bodies, minds and souls of men and women, staggering
economic loss with its legacy of debt for future generations, and the
unleashing of the baser passions of life, urges that persons and nations seek by
every legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations
of the world. The Wesleyan Church also urges that holy people everywhere
pray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2),
and for the quick return of the Prince of Peace.
(3) Military Service. The Wesleyan Church teaches respect for
properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country. It
recognizes the responsibility of the individual to answer the call of government
and to enter into military service. However, there are those within the
fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is
contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences are
violated by being compelled to take part in such. The Wesleyan Church will
therefore lend moral support to any member who asks and claims exemption
by legal processes from military service as a sincere conscientious objector and
who asks to serve one’s country as a noncombatant.
just to analyze it real quickly twc believes
1. "urges that persons and nations seek byevery legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations of the world."--peace is obviously the best answer. no one wants to go to war. it should be avoided.
2. "urges that holy people everywherepray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail" we can never do this too much. we need to pray for everyone involved that peace may prevail.
3. " teaches respect for properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country." i think this is one of the hardest for us. we have trouble respecting others in the idea that we are always second guessing their authority. so many people are attacking bush as if he is doing a horrible job. but i wonder what would of happened if someone else were president. we would just be complaining about him. one reason this country is not headed in a good direction is because we are not united and until then we will never go forward. and then there are others who have more loyalty to the country then they do Christ. just ask yourself where you might be.
4. "However, there are those within the fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences areviolated by being compelled to take part in such. " conscientious objector will always lean toward peace. and personally as much as i want to serve my country i think i would rather do it in a peaceful setting. these guys take a stand in their faith and show what they believe.
i wonder everyday if i had not had scoliosis what my life would have ended up like. but i do know i am where i am supposed to be. today if you got anything from, get this, pray for our leader, pray for our military. they need to know we are supporting them in what they are doing.
while i was in my junior year of college 9/11 happened i felt a longing to serve my country as som many had before. for some reason i didnt. while i saw a few friends go over to iraq and afghanistan, i longed to be apart of something bigger then myself. i wanted to help. but didnt know how i could.
a good friend of mine is now back from iraq after serving a year there as a captain in the army. he was awarded several medals showing his bravery and leadership during the war. i sit and think about the brave men and women over there serving and wonder what if that were me. i couldnt join because i have a condition called scoliosis. i have a crooked back.
i love my country and would join in a minute if i could but i also know on top of my back God had some control in me not going over there. he knew that he needed me here serving as a youth pastor and that was more important (for myself) in being a part of His kingdom serving being in something bigger then myself.
the wesleyan church takes a a stand on peace and military service and i just wanted to bring it to your attention what they do believe.
(2) Peace. The Wesleyan Church, knowing that war results in great
suffering for the bodies, minds and souls of men and women, staggering
economic loss with its legacy of debt for future generations, and the
unleashing of the baser passions of life, urges that persons and nations seek by
every legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations
of the world. The Wesleyan Church also urges that holy people everywhere
pray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2),
and for the quick return of the Prince of Peace.
(3) Military Service. The Wesleyan Church teaches respect for
properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country. It
recognizes the responsibility of the individual to answer the call of government
and to enter into military service. However, there are those within the
fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is
contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences are
violated by being compelled to take part in such. The Wesleyan Church will
therefore lend moral support to any member who asks and claims exemption
by legal processes from military service as a sincere conscientious objector and
who asks to serve one’s country as a noncombatant.
just to analyze it real quickly twc believes
1. "urges that persons and nations seek byevery legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations of the world."--peace is obviously the best answer. no one wants to go to war. it should be avoided.
2. "urges that holy people everywherepray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail" we can never do this too much. we need to pray for everyone involved that peace may prevail.
3. " teaches respect for properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country." i think this is one of the hardest for us. we have trouble respecting others in the idea that we are always second guessing their authority. so many people are attacking bush as if he is doing a horrible job. but i wonder what would of happened if someone else were president. we would just be complaining about him. one reason this country is not headed in a good direction is because we are not united and until then we will never go forward. and then there are others who have more loyalty to the country then they do Christ. just ask yourself where you might be.
4. "However, there are those within the fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences areviolated by being compelled to take part in such. " conscientious objector will always lean toward peace. and personally as much as i want to serve my country i think i would rather do it in a peaceful setting. these guys take a stand in their faith and show what they believe.
i wonder everyday if i had not had scoliosis what my life would have ended up like. but i do know i am where i am supposed to be. today if you got anything from, get this, pray for our leader, pray for our military. they need to know we are supporting them in what they are doing.
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