Yeahh....

So, i haven't been on this in a very long time. I have been in brazil for a month of that time at a bible institute, and have been spending alot of time with work and writing for my college's newspaper. sit tight, and I will post agian soon.........signing off.

Soulforce

As many are aware, Soulforce decided to stroll up on Liberty's campus today. Soulforce's mission statement from their website states "The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance." Their specific purpose in coming to Liberty was listed on their website:

First, the Liberty University direct action supports Liberty University students who are suffering silently in closets of fear. In going to Liberty we say to those closeted students, "you are made in the image of God and loved by God, exactly as you are, without reservation."

Second, the Liberty University direct action creates a forum where GLBT[gay lesbian bisexual transgender] issues can be discussed and debated by all Liberty students. The action brings academic freedom to a school that has traditionally prevented their students from hearing from all perspectives on GLBT issues. In going to Liberty we are saying to the student body, "you deserve to at least have the chance to hear what we have to say to you."

Third, the Liberty University direct action continues a dialogue with the administrators of Liberty. In going to Liberty we say to Liberty University administrators, "your policies create hardship and your intolerance causes suffering." Hopefully, the administration will hear our case, but even if they do not, we will have shown them the problem as it exists and a better direction to take.

Fourth, the Liberty University action will raise the public awareness of the suffering that Liberty University's intolerance creates. The action will give light to the stories of students who live in closets of fear, as well as, the stories of students who have been kicked out of Liberty because of their sexual orientation. In going to Liberty we say to the media and the greater community, "there is a problem at Liberty University that you need to understand."

Fifth, the Liberty University action will make preeminent why GLBT equality is morally just. The action stands for the important principal that the humanity of GLBT people will not go undefended. By going to Liberty University we say to ourselves, "we will not let our humanity be questioned without our protest."

Soulforce is lead by Mel White, a man who, from what I understand, used to be an editor for Rev. Falwell's books. Sometime in the not-so-distant past, he "came out of the closet" and became a gay activist.

When the announcement was made in hallmeeting that these people were going to be marching onto our campus, I became worried. People began making comments on how they were going to throw water balloons at them, make fun of them and laugh. While I agree very much so that homosexuality is a sin, I completely disagree that we, as Christians should treat people differently only because their sins are different then ours. Someone please try telling me that I'm wrong for saying this. As Don Miller says, as Christians we shouldn't trying to socially dominate other groups in our fallen society, but rather try to save them from a fallen society. Maliciously attacking someone because they aren't as good at hiding their sins is despicable. It's pretty much the same thing as if the police deliberately shot the hostages being held in a bank robbery. Read John 8. There is absolutely no difference. "He who is without sin, throw the first stone."

When I was talking about this to someone, they tried to justify attacking gay people by saying that "they should expect it," and "that its the same thing as if an African American man went to a KKK rally," and then said, "case in point." No. Not "case in point." First off, being an African American man isn't sinful (this person has made racist comments before, so who knows what he/she actually thinks). Secondly, how dare someone make a comparison between the KKK and Christians with the implication of congruence? Absolutely dumbfounding. My intention in this paragraph isn't to humiliate, disrespect or otherwise mock this person, but rather to shed light on some terribly awful viewpoints.

Thankfully, my fellow students at Liberty University behaved in an incredibly mature and Christ-like manner. I saw many people sitting and talking with members of Soulforce in a non-hostile manner. I had the opportunity to eat lunch with one of the people who came with Soulforce. He was not a homosexual, but he was in support of their cause. Unfortunately, I had a test and was unable to talk long. After my classes, me and my friend Joseph met up with each other with the purpose of finding some of the protesters and start conversations. We walked around campus for a good halfhour until we saw an LUPD officer who told us that they had been escorted off campus for trying to hand out materials.

So, before I leave, I just want to reiterate the fact that we should act like people with different sins than our own have leprosy. We should not try to "dominate" in a fallen system, but help people from it.


Signing off......

Betcha Can't Have Just One

Potato Chips.... No kidding.





During registration week for classes, I was looking for a guy on my hall who has been taking a photography class. Since I am a journalism major, I think that having a skill in taking pictures would prove to be most valuable. I had heard rumors that the class will cost a lot of extra money, on top of the $425 per credit hour I'm already paying. I went over to his room to talk to him, only to find one of his roommates being there. I talked to him for a few minutes, and on my way out he threw me a bag of potato chips, much like the ones in the picture above. I was very grateful for his gesture, but I was very disappointed by the thoughts that immediately came to my head.
He gave me the bag and was informing me on how his father is always buying him potato chips and how he never can finish them, but the whole time I couldn't stop staring back and forth to the Cheetos on the counter. I wanted them. Once again, my fleshly nature reared its ugly head.
The thing that bothered me the most is this: He made a very benevolent gesture by offering me a free bag of chips, and right away I wanted to twist his generosity and get something more. He offered me something, and I immediately wanted something more. I wasn't satisfied with only the potato chips, I wanted to take something that wasn't offered, something that was of greater value, and of less supply.
I was grieved over the fact that in my sinful nature, I couldn't settle for his initial act of generosity. I had thought of asking for more, which I knew would put him on the spot and make him feel obligated to give the Cheetos to me. Thankfully, I recognized this atrocity, thanked him for his charity, said no more and left his room. I then returned to my room and contemplated over this for some time.
This just really proves the fact that if you give a sinner an inch, he'll try to finagle his way into getting the mile. I repent of these these things. I challenge you, my faithful and few readers, to search your hearts and try to recognize the greed that plagues us in our fallen state.

Signing off....

Yep

So recently, i have been reading a bit in Searching for God Knows What again, and find it continually inspiring. His views on biblical morality are so incredibly insightful and logical, that just eminates its veracity.

Don Miller has truly been blessed by God. I encourage you. Buy this book!!!!!

Alabama

The past week of my life was spent in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My girlfriend and I went down there for our spring break to spend some time with her sister. While down there, her sister told us about this church that meets on the University of Alabama campus, and we decided to go.

When we got there, we found out that the "pastor" of this church was a woman. I really struggle with how people can actually justify this as permissable. Last time i checked, The bible was pretty clear on the matter.

The most eye-opening aspect of the visit to this little church was something else, though. The group of 10 to fifteen college students that go to this "church" were all discussing certain things and taking prayer requests. It turns out that all but one of the male attenders are homosexual. They asked that people could pray for acceptance among those who are so against it.

How blinded we have become! Existentialism has become increasingly prevalent in our nation, and it is a very scary idea. Also, the group that was there was attempting to plan this outreach activity for younger kids. They wanted to talk about something having to do with "light" and "darkness." The recurring question that was continually brought up by the "pastor" and attenders alike was "what does it mean to look like one who lives in the light?" and, "What is the light?" They kept saying things like "being nice," or "the light is your inner light."

I was completely shocked at how blinded some people are.

Whitewashed Tombs

I am coming towards the end of A Call to Die, and find some very significant words. Actually, it is the significance of words that Nasser is describing. Matthew 15:18 says "But the things othat come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'"
He furthers his point by describing the behavior of the Pharisees. THese people were obessed with following the letter of the law, but with no real reason other than self-glorification. Instead of using morality as a way to worship the Lord, they used it as bait for pride. This is completely sinful, and anything but God-honoring. And I quote David Nasser when I say "their actions were made meaningless because of the sinfulness of their hearts.
To bring some imagary to the table, Jesus called them "whitewashed tombs." This ment that they looked all nice and clean on the outside, but their inside was like that of a tomb: filled with death, rot and decay. Not something that you want as a nickname.

Grow-Up.

To whomever commented on my "Tonight, tonight" post with COWARDLY anonymity,

I hardly would call things such as doctrine and Biblical community to be "little things." Also, saying that I’m being critical is completely absurd. Is being disappointed that someone didn't answer the questions that were asked of him being critical? No. It is an honest observation of what happened.

It seems to me that this person who decided not to reveal an identity is someone that I know. Being that this person wrote "You guys" makes it pretty obvious.
Also, this whole statement where you wrote "Often times, you take things entirely out of context, then go back and say 'hey guys, guess what so and so said today!' and then argue over and bash them for hours" is ridiculous. Where do you get off saying this? How can you call me critical, when you are making stuff up?

I honestly can't recall a time in which my friends and I have said something without giving the entire picture of what was said. Also, those times when we all sit around with smug aspirations while arguing and bashing certain people for hours completely escapes my memory.

You know what, I'm sorry that you blindly accept every bit of information that is shoved into your face. I'm sorry that you have no ability to think for yourself, I really am. But I WILL NOT apologize for asking "why?" I WILL NOT apologize for researching and looking into ideas before mindlessly consuming them.

Also, while you are telling me that I should take the plank out of my own eye, I would challenge you to follow a more biblical form of confrontation, a confrontation that would take place face-to-face. I know that this is a comment to a blog, and I have asked for them, but at least have the decency of attributing your comments to your name. Way to be an internet thug.

Spare me from the emotional, touchy-feely ideology that has plagued our churches for far too long. Have a backbone. Stop calling people “judgmental,” or “critical” when you’re really thinking: “That’s not very nice.” Why do people get so mad when others aren’t afraid to speak their mind, or to challenge those who are wrong? I mean, really, doesn’t it just make sense that we shouldn’t just accept everything we hear, regardless of its veracity?

So for further notice, if you have an issue with something that I write, don’t be a faint-hearted child about it by hiding behind the cowardice of anonymity. I would have perferred to write this as an e-mail in private to whoever wrote this, or just knocked on their door if they were within my area to discuss things over coffee. But, this individual decided to take the "hit-and-run" approach. Be bold about your propositions.

Signing off…..