Famed Fla. Megachurch Votes to Keep New Senior Pastor

jrmants87 »

Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:59 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

The seven last words of the church are: "We never did it that way before." Nuff said.

Christians Called to be Spiritually Active during Ramadan

jrmants87 »

Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:19 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Certainly we should be prayerful for all those who do not know our Savior. However, praying for people to leave their faith who want to become closer to God through their own faith experience seems to me to be excessive. Yes, many young Muslims are disillusioned with the situation in Iran, but this does not diminish understanding their faith. I, too, was very disillusioned with the last administration's eight years that helped to bring us to this place in social and economic history using the Christian faith to support their agenda. That did not, though, diminish my faith. They will find truth as it is revealed to them in their search for God. May the Holy Spirit be in their search.

Moderate Baptist: Our Survival Is Amazing

jrmants87 »

Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:21 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I am an American Baptist, seminary graduate, and a woman. As a member of an ABCUSA church I am affiliated with CBF which I consider an honor. This denomination recognizes that God calls all people to ministry - some to specialized ministries such as pastor - regardless of their gender. See Joel 3: women prophesy. This word means "preach" and "speak from God" not tell the future. Our congregation's Minister of Education is an ordained woman from Virginia. Her home church is CBF. We are delighted with her ministry with all of us. May God bless you all.

Massachusetts Sues U.S. Over DOMA

jrmants87 »

Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:02 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 1

Apparently I'm the only one here who is from Massachusetts and a supporter of this lawsuit. The suit states that the federal law limits benefits that would be provided by Massachusetts to our residents who are GLBT and married. This is discrimination and the basis of the suit. It does not contend that all states should comply. It does not contend that religious issues or "traditional" lifestyles are in jeopardy. Should any of you want to discuss the issues of the suit, I suggest that you go online to wbur.org and search for the copy of it.

By the way... I'm a deeply committed Christian and seminary graduate who understands the Bible differently from most of those who have left comments. I do pray that common sense and love prevail over diatribes that are taken out of context and not understood in the setting.

Blessings to you all.

Conservative Christians Praise Calif. High Court Ruling on Prop. 8

jrmants87 »

Wed May 27, 2009 3:04 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Something some people miss here is that marriage is not only a religious institution. It is also a civil institution. At the end of every marriage ceremony in, at least, Christian churches the clergyperson says something similar to: "By the power vested in me by the State of (whatever state has granted the marriage license} I now pronounce you ....." In a church the registration must be signed by the clergy and those married immediately after the ceremony. In another setting where a judge or justice of the peace or another licensed official the registration is signed as well. This is only done because the state requires it. It makes the marriage legal. All marriages in every state are civil marriages. If they are blessed by their religious affiliations, then it is something that is other than fulfilling a statute.

Christians Rally Against Alleged 'Genocide' in Sri Lanka

jrmants87 »

Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:50 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I don't know if the west even has paid attention to the plight of all of Sri Lanka, not only the Christians. I used to see stories on the evening news, but not for a very long time. BBC Radio gives me whatever information I have about their situation. I guess if we continue to be able to purchase really good tea from Sri Lanka, it's not important what the policies of the government are. God forgive us.

Christian Billionaire Builds First Biblically-Sized Noah's Ark

jrmants87 »

Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:30 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

While these discussions are interesting doesn't anyone wonder if they are giving this much money to the poor of the world? What is the point of building an ark?

Evangelical Richard Cizik Re-Emerges for Green Cause

jrmants87 »

Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:26 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 1

I lost confidence in the NAE many years ago. I don't remember why. Probably because they seem to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to growing in their own spirituality. God expects us to change and not keep a military stance on social topics. If Paul did that, his name would have been Saul when he died and we would not have that champion of faith in our histories and the Christian faith might look much different throughout western history. Now I am not setting Cizik up against Paul as an icon, but would like to look at him as someone who is not afraid of scientific exploration (which God created for us to better understand our use and lack of good stewardship of the earth) and who calls us to not be arrogant working with people of other or no faiths. We all have a responsibility to be good caretakers of this wonderful gift of creation.

Vt. Governor to Veto Gay Marriage Bill

jrmants87 »

Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:47 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I'm not going to get in the middle of this discussion of I said/you said. The important issue of this article is that the Governor of Vermont is taking it on himself to veto what apparently is the will of the people. It should not matter what his commitment is unless the people of Vermont have petitioned him to act in this way. We are still a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Guns in Church Bill Dies in Arkansas Senate Panel

jrmants87 »

Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:05 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I don't think, in this case, an armed parishioner would have made a difference. From the accounts we have heard here in Boston, the attacker was standing directly in front of the pastor, pulled his gun, and shot point blank into the pastor's Bible. There was no distance between them for prevention. This is a horrendous thing to happen and I feel deeply for the congregation, but I still do not believe that armaments should ever enter a sanctuary. God is still our fortress and defender, our best caretaker.

Guns in Church Bill Dies in Arkansas Senate Panel

jrmants87 »

Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:56 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

The separation of church and state is an important issue here as well as one that implies that people are safer with handguns on their persons. It is beyond all my understanding why anyone should want to carry a weapon into church--a place that is a safe haven for everyone. Since we as Baptists hold so dearly to the separation of church and state, I don't know why there is no outrage that the state was consulted at all.

Oxford Junior Dictionary Drops Christian Words

jrmants87 »

Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:11 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I never could understand why "antiquated" words are eliminated from any dictionary. How can we know the roots of our language? I know that paper is expensive and larger books can be difficult to handle, but as a child we had (and still have) a dictionary that is about 6-7 inches thick which my brother and I used for our homework. There were no junior dictionaries then. I agree that at Oxford Publishing House the respect for the written and spoken word should include religious words which helped to form our democracies. The loss of "moss" and "fern" -- what's that about anyway? Those are all around us!

Orissa Christmas Will Be 'Extremely Fraught' with Fear, Says Minister

jrmants87 »

Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:32 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

This is an interesting story that is side-by-side with the article bemoaning the social gospel.

What we ought to be caring about is the welfare of the Christian community. What can we do to support them and to help them live safely? I don't think Jesus would respond violently or verbally attack people who act in such a way that causes people to live in fear. We put ourselves on their level. Mom and Dad always said that two wrongs don't make a right. Morality is not algebra.

Let's pray for all those involved on both sides. Jesus wants us to love everyone even those with whom we disagree.

Social Gospel is 'Marxism in Christian Clothing,' Says Warren

jrmants87 »

Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:14 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 4

Warren is missing something in his selective view of church history -- or Jennifer Riley selectively used quotes from the Beliefnet article. I have not read it yet, so I respond based only on what is in this article.

Walter Rauschenbusch is the Baptist pastor who, in New York City, saw great pain in the streets around his church. He is the person of whom church historians speak when they talk about the "social gospel". His response to the world was based on Micah 6:8 -- to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God -- and what Jesus called the sum of the law and the prophets -- to love God and people. Rauschenbusch understood this to mean that to love others is to meet all their needs -- spiritual and physical -- just as did Jesus. Rauschenbush lived his life to emulate Jesus. The movement that followed has been misinterpreted by many who, in my opinion, arrogantly purport that our souls are all that Jesus came to save.

I am an evangelical who is a member of one of the so-called mainline denominations that many say are dying. I don't believe that. It is my experience that while our denominations may not have great numbers, our commitment to both scripture and a life-style that tries to meet the needs of the world based on faith rooted deeply in our relationship with our Lord. I am a member of a church that tries to maintain a balance of both.

Rick Warren sounds a little arrogant to me in this case. He is not the first to call for balance. Hopefully he will not be the last. It's good to have him jump on this bandwagon. Maybe other fundamentalists will follow.

Pro-Gay Ad Takes Swipe at 'No Mob' Ad Condemning Prop. 8 Violence

jrmants87 »

Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:32 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I am so glad to read voices of reason. God is in love with all of us and, yes, people can be Christians and not be heterosexual. The Greek language is sometimes ambivalent. In addition to expanding our understanding of the original languages - Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic - we need to approach honestly the overwhelming evidence of the cultures of pre-Christian societies and the first century of the Christian era. The Bible was written by these writers who were affected by the culture around them as we are. Yes, I do believe that the Spirit strongly influenced the writers, but the writings themselves were not dictated, they were inspired - God-breathed if you will - and written by human beings who interpreted God's message for us.

Regarding the current issue, violence is not condoned by Jesus. He spoke against it even at the time of his arrest. Check out what Peter did if you don't remember. By teaching love and acceptance for all, Jesus expects us, I believe, to be accepting of all others. We have no right to judge nor should we be judged by others for our beliefs and life-styles. God is the final authority.

Faith, hope, and love lives here and the greatest of these is love. When we all love each other in spite of or even because of our differences the Body of Christ will be honored in the world. Let's pray for that.

Blessings.

Bush Not A Bible Literalist; Talks of Belief in God

jrmants87 »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:03 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Oh, goodness, people. God's love is all-encompassing. All those who have a relationship with God one day will be in God's presence. Last night's interview helped me see a new-to-me side of Mr. Bush. I only wish the interview could have been longer. He expressed what most thoughtful
Christians would like to say...that certainty of faith is real, we can't be absolutely sure of everything, none of us will ever know (in this life) all there is to understand about the Bible, and there are many mysteries of the universe left to discover. I always thought of him as some kind of right-wing Christian theologically. This was refreshing. Now if only his politics were also middle of the road...!

Anglican Head Says Bishop Boycott 'Wounds' Summit

jrmants87 »

Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:31 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

What truly wounds Lambeth Conference is the lack of unconditional love and acceptance in the spirit of the Lord Jesus who is the Christ.

Mom Fights Church Ban on Her Autistic Son

jrmants87 »

Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:07 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Autism is not a behavioral problem. It is a brain disease for which there is no known definitive cause. It affects emotions and behavior, but cannot be controlled by harsh discipline. It is stressful to all the members of the family and to be able to be among the family's chosen community of faith is to be in a place for healing in whatever form God chooses, whether for the one who is autistic and/or for the family. Love is the most important thing that should be happening in this situation. Love for God, love from the community, and love to the community. "Love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself." Maybe those people in that church never heard that said loudly enough. Maybe they are just selfish. Blessings.

Episcopal Gay Bishop, Partner Joined in Civil Union

jrmants87 »

Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:53 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 4

Get a grip on it people. Two people have loved each other for a long time (much longer than many heterosexual marriages last) and have made the ultimate commitment they are allowed in their state. Instead of being pharisaical about this, remember what else Jesus said.... Let those who are without sin cast the first stone. Being judgmental is not acceptable to God, who will ultimately decide what is sin and what isn't at the final judgment. We are not God, though some of you sound as if you would be equal to God. Do you remember what happened when some angels wanted to do that? They were thrown out of heaven. Blessings.

Jesus Statue Prompts Controversy in Vermont School

jrmants87 »

Thu May 29, 2008 1:57 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Maybe what the student should have done with his project is to include symbols from all the major religions. That would have erased the speculation of endorsement of Jesus (an endorsement that would be okay by me) alone and broadened the religous aspect of the First Amendment and the government's ambivalence regarding the endorsement of only one religion. In effect the students thesis was supported by the removal of the statue.