Tag Archive for Christ

Jesus and Topless Dancers

I’m going to be slightly irreverent today.  Read no farther if that bothers you.

I read about a pastor in Ohio whose church is near a topless establishment.  He organized his parishioners to carry protest signs, take down licence plate numbers of the bar’s patrons, yell out hell-fire warning to customers, and call the topless dancers whores, prostitutes, and worse.  His reasoning for this was that he takes seriously his duty to see that the “Gospel of Christ is lifted up.”

That sent me to my Bible, which I’m already quite familiar with.  I especially looked at the words attributed to Jesus Christ.  Nowhere do I see Him preaching against toplessness.  Going back to before His time, it isn’t even in the 10 Commandments.

What I do see, though, is His teaching about tolerance and love.  Even if these women were prostitutes, Jesus was known to forgive them, showing them love and support; He didn’t call them names, harass them, or condemn them.

That pastor and I have very different Bibles, as well as views on Christ’s teachings.

Executions: Purpose and Practice

 

What do events in Arizona a few days ago, in Oklahoma in April, and in Ohio in January have in common?  Three botched executions, in which the condemned man tried to gulp air for nearly two hours (Arizona), writhed in agony for several minutes before dying of a heart attack (Oklahoma), and snorted, gasped, and struggled for some time before the lethal drugs killed him (Ohio).  These–and many similar events–also show that carrying out a death sentence can be far from the humane practice it’s legally supposed to be.

I feel compassion for families of victims.  I understand their need for “closure” (whatever that is) and that they believe in “an eye for an eye” (even Christians, whose faith says that Christ came to bring mercy and forgiveness, replacing the Old Testament law of getting even).  And I know that executions are codified in our laws.  But unless they can be carried out in a legal (meaning humane) fashion, they should be discontinued.  Otherwise, they aren’t justice but simply vengeance.

 

 

Leave Christ in Christmas–HIS Way

LETTER from Jesus about Christmas

[Thanks to the people who emailed this to me.]

It has come to My attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then  just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees! You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of  our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look it up: John 15: 1 – 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is My wish list. Choose from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up… It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving  your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them how very much I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that some in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and  a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families, as I wish.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary– especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. ‘Let not your left hand know what your right is doing…’

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of My kids.

I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court.  And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE. NO ONE, no one else can say that to you!