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Holy Applause!Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 11:13 AM
I am a Catholic, born, raised and still Catholic. My children are Catholic. My husband is a convert. We don't hold that against him. We Catholics are known for large families(check), fish on Fridays(check), the Virgin Mary(no we don't worship her, we honor her)and being Democrat(NOT)!
I have always loved my faith. No matter where you go, Mass is the virtually the same. I like that. Makes me feel at home. Our Catholic Mass is steeped in tradition and ritual. I like that too. If you ever come to Mass you see lots of genuflecting, no we are not all clumsy, lots of standing followed by sitting and/or kneeling and lots of repetitious responses. If you get lost and are not sure what to say, "And also with you" will most likely serve you best. We are, for the most part, a stoic bunch. Sometimes we are a part of the "chosen frozen." That's the part I don't like. Sometimes I yearn for a little fun in my worship, a little foot stomping, bell ringing, hand clapping music to remind me that God is good -- ALL THE TIME! I know that there is a place and time for everything and that some people believe that reverence is the norm in church. I do too but God also said to celebrate and sing unto the Lord a joyful noise. We Catholics are not known for Bible memorization, sorry. Sacred Heart has an awesome choir. Great voices, great music and dedicated hearts. They were amazing on Easter Sunday and so was the entire Mass, so I felt obligated to applaud! Gasp, Oh My, applaud at Mass?! Holy Buckets! They deserved it for all their hard work...and so my point. Be brave, courageous, bold and brash, reward your pastor and your choir with thunderous applause once in awhile. Shake it up and let the rafters quake so God can hear it. He wants you to, your choir and pastor will appreciate it. I believe that with a resounding ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA! Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Anything at all.
I was raised on the same farm on which my dad was born. My parents still live there today. I graduated from Eastwood High in 1987 and from Eastern Wyoming College with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. I married Randy 19 long years ago and we have 6 children ranging in age from 3 to 18 years old. I have worked numerous jobs from detassling as a teenager, a legal secretary in California, church secretary in Iowa to a daycare provider now. I love being outside and hate doing women stuff inside. I would rather mow the lawn than do dishes or change the tire on my van than sort socks. I am patriotic, opinionated and sometimes loud. I am also a great mom, good friend and I love to laugh - I did marry Randy. I believe in common sense versus reading a book by some "expert". I don't pretend to have all the answers but I am willing to ask the questions that others are afraid to ask and sometimes to my detriment say the things that others only think about saying. I try to avoid confrontation but sometimes it finds me and almost all the time it is necessary to stimulate communication.
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A little aftermath to this blog. After the fact, Leah admitted to me how nervous she got as the moment to applaud was upon her. Her knees were shaking as if she were going to be forced to stand up and speak. But in that moment, when she began applauding - there were no gasps or horrific stares. No, the congregation joined in with sustained applause of its own. Whether appropriate or not, God knew those sharing his message through voice and song were appreciated. Sometimes you just gotta do what you know to be right! And that takes courage.
For once I thought there was a blog with no politics, then I found the democrat crack. :)
I'll decline to make a quick negative reply *cough*catholic*cough* But having gone to a Catholic school I've seen plenty of Republican activity.
You have no idea how hard it is not to detail the similarities between Bush and the Vatican. :)
Adam, you have no idea how many times I have heard from my Catholic side of the family..."I'm a Democrat because my Daddy was a Democrat." If Grandpa only knew what Dems stand for today...baby killing and gay marriage...UGH.
Baby killing? You're pro war, babies die all the time in these predator strikes... do they not matter? You might get a kick out of watching our apache mow down innocent kids, and then disregarding it as their fault. (wikileaks.org)
See, we've already gotten off track.
I guess I'm fine with gay marriage too. Though I'm not gay I think everyone should be entitled to equal happiness. We could get into the whole marriage is religious debate... but marriage is just a word attached to a dedicated life long relationship.
If believing people should have the right to choose their path in life defines my political orientation, than I suppose I'm a proud Democrat today.
Now, back to the choir, praise the lord :)
Oh, Adam! This was almost a positive blog. I loved the actual blog part, then Randy's addition in the comments. And then...we are back to bashing each other over politics.
Leah -- I applaud often (I'm Lutheran -- rebellious cousins of Catholics) but when I'm not sure I keep my hands low and look around innocently just in case it falls flat. We have very nice choirs at our church, too, and I just feel bad for the awkward silence that follows them out of the sanctuary sometimes.
oh no, no bashing... I'm fine with republicans existing... and I still think it's a positive blog. Don't let a little baby killing ruin it all.
I totally love applauding especially when it is unexpected. Good Catholics need a little shakin' and wakin' up!
I don't know, Leah. If Sacred Heart starts stompin', clappin' and cryin' for Jesus (like DaySpring), I'd never step foot in it again. It's bad enough that Father Linnan is no longer there.
I thought this was a positive blog until Adam brought up politics, and Leah made that baby-killing comment. I'm a conservative myself, but even I know that all Democrats aren't cut from the same fabric. I shy away from the politics of Rush Limbaugh, but I still call myself a conservative. Can't we refrain from painting entire groups with the same brush? Just this once??
Hey Johnny, I like Fr. Linnan too and Fr. Lingle and now Fr. Schreiber. Change is usually good. They each bring their own set of talents and treasures and I am up for what they have to offer. It doesn't hurt to stomp & clap for the Lord once in awhile. It keeps you young and burns calories. DaySpring serves those who want what they have to offer and as long as they are preaching the word and living it, more power to 'em.
I'll save my political comments for another blog.
Hey Johnny..."stompin', clappin' and cryin' for Jesus (like DaySpring),"?
Seems somehow you think this is a bad thing?
....we're happy people...excited about all God has done for us (and is yet to do)...and we express it (as God's Word commands).
Psalm 47:1:
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy."
Maybe you should sneak in some Sunday and check it out....we're not a bunch of freaks, y'know!
And believe me...I just moved here from California last year....I know freaks!
notiniowa, just so you know, Leah was the first to bring up politics in her original blog "and being Democrat(NOT)!".
I'm a firm believer that a lot of churches could use a dose of the kind of enthusiasm that Pastor Kevin and the good folks at DaySpring enjoy while celebrating and living THE WORD. I'm proud to be Catholic - but I love the energy that Dayspring brings and the outreach they offer in the community. I know Pastor Kevin and many good people that attend Dayspring. They are anything but freaks. And if someone who openly expresses their love for the Lord is by your definition a freak - THEN BABY - A FREAK I BE!
skeptic, I believe I referenced Leah's political comments in my own comment. I didn't mention that she was first (although, it was apparent to me that she was 'checking' things off on a list of typical Catholic traits, so to speak, and did NOT check Democrat), because I thought it was irrelevant.
I just stopped by to say a big ol' Hallelujah to my Pastor's comment, and thank you for coming to our production at Easter Randy!! :)
As for being a freak... I'll be another one to admit I'm a Jesus freak and VERY proud of it!
All Jesus-Christ-loving-Bible-Believing-Churches all have one thing in common, we love and serve our God - we just have different ways of going about it. God loves it all.
I've been to Sacred Heart before with a friend, feel free to check DaySpring out... (you don't even have to wear a tie!!) ;)
It's one of the MANY reasons I LOVE going to Dayspring, they play that "Funky Jesus Music"
Psalm 150:1-6 ESV
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...
What's that last line say again???
"praise him with loud clashing cymbals!"
PLAY THAT FUNKY JESUS MUSIC!!!!!!!!!! LOUD
Just have a few questions and comments. How many churches can bring 200 plus people to the LORD in one weekend, and how many churches put it on their hearts to follow up with them and encourage their beliefs? yes i know they are there, but that is Daysprings daily challenge, to bring people to GOD, to step out of our comfort zones and work for HIM. WHO AM I????? GOD"S child, put on HIS earth, to do HIS work, for HIS GLORY. DO i dance and sing, and fall to my knees, yes...you ask why, because GOD has placed it on my heart to worship and praise him that way. Like everyone has said, try it, you may like it, i did. i was not saved before i went to Daysprings, now i am, and proud to be a "JESUS FREAK". Thank the LORD for Dayspring, Pastor Kevin, The Spencer Dream Center, and all they stand for....which is bringin people who are far from GOD to GOD, and helping the community and outlaying towns.
Well, I have stepped into DaySpring on a few occasions in the past out of curiosity. Haha, I don't know. I guess I just find it extremely cheesy. It's like watching Channel 51. I mean, all you guys are missing is the fainting and "I CAN WALK NOW!" scenarios.
But hey, that's just my own opinion. I could easily be called out or made fun of for some of the things I do! I shouldn't be bashing anyone's beliefs/customs. Just as long as you aren't high and mighty and smug about it, you're cool in my book.
Oh, and I never called anyone a freak, Paster Kevin only jokingly suggested the people of California were.
Channel 51? Is that the alien channel like (as in Area 51)? Never seen it...
As for the cheese-factor...Johnny....maybe you stumbled into a particulary fromage-esque moment.... But I can assure you, I am not at all into cheesiness (unless it's sittin' on a Ritz).
Having been here in Iowa only for the past year and a half, I can't say much about what has gone before, but I will say that the legacy of our former pastor is great....passionate people....real people (no "church masks" here), people who are genuine and warm....I hear it all the time: "I felt so welcome there!" "They even helped me out of my car and held the door open for me!", etc.
DaySpring isn't perfect (no church is), but it is truly a great group of people who love God and are happy about it!
Try it again Johnny....and come find me and I'll buy your lunch afterwards...
ADAM, I and I'm sure others don't appreciate your stupid comments on OUR Soldiers driving the Preditor Drones and Flying the Apaches. We are not in a law enforcement mode........We are at War. Which part of that escapes you.
Wow once again things get all wrong with a blog like this. I have said time and time again. We all need to stop discussing politics and religion because its a debate that will never be settled on cause we all have different beliefs on both subjects.
In the box were you put your replies, did you happen to notice the words above the box?
"Your comments:
Please be respectful of others and try to stay on topic."
Johnny, I would love to shake your hand and tell you of a story of a little boy born with a club foot and whose Parents were told that he would never walk. You see that is a TRUE story not just out of the Bible, but From Eastern Iowa in 1968 when I was at a Tent Revival with my parents and the Preacher prayed for me, and I can STAND before you now and Shake your hand and tell you that God is Good, ALL THE TIME!
Oh, I might also say "I'M HEALED" during our conversation btw.
SSGM270-
I guess I'm not terribly sorry if my comment offended you. Looking back I don't see anything wrong with it.
Well, unless of course you are a member of our military, that still wants to believe you're doing the right thing.
And stupid?
I'm not the guy that thinks predators (yes, that's how it's spelled) are driven.
I'll just assume the SS stands for Staff Sergeant, in which case I'll let your blatant ignorance fly.
jeffeshelman, you said
"In the box were you put your replies, did you happen to notice the words above the box?
"Your comments:
Please be respectful of others and try to stay on topic."
I am assume you were referring to the disrespectful remarks by Leah about all democrats being baby killers.
skeptic, being that the topic was STARTED by that person, I'd say others have gotten off the topic.
So, Adam, let me see if I understand you. You don't believe any members of the military can say they're doing the right thing?
Hey, iowaskeptic - don't hate me 'cuz I love God. He loves you even if you don't love him!
Leah, where did you get the idea that I hated you or god? I merely pointed out the fact that your comment about baby killers was disrespectful - the fact that I find your comments repugnant does not mean I hate you. I am also puzzled where you got the idea I don't love god. I love god as much as I love bigfoot or any other fictional character (I suppose bigfoot loves me too?).
My wife's grandmother is 84 yrs old and a life long catholic. She comes to spencer to visit us frequently, and has gone to church with us at Dayspring if here on a Sunday. The last couple of times she has heard a sermon about tithing so she thinks we are always asking for money! She does love the worship time, and claps right along. She also likes to be done with church in an hour and thinks the services are too long for her. I enjoy going to her church in Sioux City - St. Michaels in Indian Hills - Beautiful church! Someone once told me that we are not supposed to go to church so we can "Get something out of it" but rather we should go to church to give thanks to God - I agree. I think it was our former pastor Bob who once said that when we all get to heaven you will be able to tell where the Assemblies of God folks are - we will be the loud ones over there!
iowaskeptic, Have you ever even given God a chance? Come to Dayspring, check it out, give it a month...if anything you will make great friends.
Our motto is "Come as you are you'll be loved." And we mean it.
I heard a quote once I love...
"Try God out for six months, if you don't like it still after that you can have all your sins back." :).
God loves you unconditionally whether you give Him the time of day or not. You don't have to come to Him "all clean from sins etc"... You just have to come to Him, He'll take care of the rest.
I can guarantee you'll still have troubles, we all do, but I can't imagine life without Him during them.
You're always welcome at Dayspring.
Stevie, I appreciate your offer, but no thanks. I did not come upon atheism by accident. I became an atheist by choice after weighing the evidence that is available.
ps just because I am an atheist does not mean that I lead a "sinful" life (sinful as per your definition - atheists don't really believe in sin)
skeptic, I appreciate the way you handled this last comment- respectfully and without citicism. I was a little bothered by your bigfoot references earlier, to be honest, but chose not to comment.
notinia, I admit I was being snarky with the bigfoot reference, but I guess I don't see why it would bother you that I find bigfoot (or god for that matter) to be a fictional character. My point is that I do not believe in god, and as a result I have neither bad nor good feelings toward him (I have no feelings toward him).
I've now read this entire blog. Thank you, Spencer, for the entertainment.
Just FYI: I also applaud good movies!
Leah, this may be a little off the topic of your blog, but it has to do with the article your husband wrote, Hiding in plain sight. I felt like I could comment on here because these are the kind of blogs that he was talking about.
Anyways, I guess I just have to disagree with what he says in his article. Of course, things may get out of hand on blogs: bashing, name-calling, hating, off-topic comments, etc. All the while, no one has to answer to it. However, that's the greatness of it. In a small community, like Spencer, people can become ostracized for their beliefs. Spencer loves that kind of stuff, whether you'd like to admit it or not. Gossip is all over the place in small communities like this. Deviants are minorities, and are consequently looked down upon and outcast in one form or another.
Randy is obviously more comfortable with sharing his identity, not just because he's a professional writer, but because he's great family man, a Christian, a Republican (correct me if I'm wrong), among other things that hold true to the majority of Spencer's popular crowd.
This is quite different for someone like iowaskeptic. If iowaskeptic revealed his or her true identity, he or she might have a brick thrown through their window with a note saying, "GOD LOVES YOU!" That may be an extreme case, but even something as small as not getting served as quick at a local restaurant. Of course, that may never happen as well. However, even gossip is still something that can hurt a person's reputation in a town like Spencer.
Haha, wow, I think that's the longest comment I've ever written. Anyways, let me know what you guys think.
I actually agreed with Randy's article (whoa!).
There's alot of anonymous names here with strong words... but not the courage to put a name on them.
I can think of one incident with teapartypatriot, in which he/she didn't agree with me... and as a result said Harris = some negative thing or another (didn't bother me enough to remember exactly what).
I thought it was real handy that some anonymous coward can throw my family name under the bus, without even proclaiming the greatness of their family name.
I'm not religious in the least, and this is my real name. Let the brick throwing begin! :)
You know Johnny you are right about Spencer and small towns in general. But we have recieved our fair share of hate mail, phone calls, and comments for our conservative beliefs even from our own fellow parishioners. We have never lived in a community where we have felt more out of the popular crowd than we do here in Spencer. With that being said, I, and I speak for me not for Randy...have never backed down from my beliefs and will never be anonymous about it. I am not a fence sitter and bring on the ridicule. I will not hide behind a fake name. That's just me.
While we are off-topic I would like to throw something out there. I think Randy's argument would hold more weight if you were able to respond to the Editorials in the opinion section. Sure he puts his name on it (it is his job after all), but there is little chance to respond. Letters to the editor have little chance of getting published and even if they are by the time they are printed the original editorial is forgotten. The technology to allow comments on the opinion page exists and many papers do allow comments - why not the Spencer Reporter? As soon as the Reporter allows comments to be posted for the Editorials (and posts all Editorials and not just those that are unlikely to spur comment), I will change my screen name (assuming someone would be willing to tell me how to go about doing that).
Adam, that's easy for you to say since you live in Iowa City. (Yes, I creeped your Facebook profile...don't you love technology?) However, for someone like me that lives in Spencer and has recently bought their first house, I'm not about to pay for broken windows (again, extreme case), or simply deal with snobby people pointing their noses in the air when they see me in public. Heck, even those that put on fake, plastic smiles and then criticize me behind my back once I'm out of sight. That's Spencer for ya.
Thanks for the response, Leah. I'm glad you're courageous about your beliefs. Keep it up. I guess it's just not for me.
I understand why the opinion section is locked from commenting... it would get out of hand VERY quickly.
Oh how I wish I could have commented below Randy's prostate exam writeup.
Johnny, How about you go low tech and try a phonebook? I live on 6th Ave East, right here in good ol Spencer.
Raised in California, moved out here 8 years ago or so.
No need to snoop, I'm pretty open.
Just a heads up Iowa Skeptic. Anyone that wishes to comment on my column is welcome to do so - in the Letter to the Editor section. I try to run them as soon as we get them, often the Saturday paper works best. So feel free - PLEASE - to take your best shot....all you have to do is put your name, your REAL name on it.
Sorry, Adam. I made the Facebook comment for comedic purposes only.
I'm also sorry that I don't own a phonebook...it would just be a waste of paper and space in my house. So, I had to resort to Facebook. Maybe you should update your information so I don't make a dork out of myself.
Anyways, I think it's about time for Leah to write a new blog so we can start fresh on that one!
JohnnyMetro said: "If iowaskeptic revealed his or her true identity, he or she might have a brick thrown through their window with a note saying, "GOD LOVES YOU!"
Unfortunately, I would not find such an incident surprising, nor would I find it surprising if LE didn't find it necessary to spend a lot of time rooting out the culprits.
I was raised a strong Christian, I spent my late teens through mid-thirties as a nominal Christian with a lot of very hard questions due to a series of tough life events, and it took an, well, act of God, literally a miracle, to make me as passionate about my faith as I am today.
While some people, the clapping type or not, might say it's our Christian duty to help save others and lead them to Christ, I believe it is an act of greater love to respect them while they are on their journey.
I don't mean to single out iowaskeptic as he or she is one of many, but I believe people have reasons for being on the road they're on and those who are not believers now most likely will come and clap in our churches as believers only through the road of their own experience.
Randy, allow me to respond on this website to your comments and I will gladly apply my real name to them. Why do you not allow open and ongoing dialog on your editorials? If you write an editorial on Tuesday and I respond it might appear in the paper by Saturday (as you yourself said). Anyone who then wants to respond to my letter will see theirs in print the FOLLOWING Saturday. Honestly, by then nobody cares anymore. With our current technology do we really have to rely on the old system of communication? Open your editorials to online comments and require those commenting to use their legal names (you could verify identities through your registration process). If you want open debate that is not anonymous, then you must make your comments equally open.
Up until a couple days ago I didn't even know I had a facebook... my girlfriend made me one knowing my hatred for social networking sites.
Also there is another person with my name in the area, so hopefully no bricks end up in his window.
Really there's no reason to be anonymous in spencer, unless you are sputtering such crap that even you can't live with it. While people may disagree, I would hope that the realization that not all people think the same stops things from escalating to any sort of physical confrontation.
The debates we have here are healthy most of the time, it keeps everyone on their toes.... and it shows the diversity between people.
I agree, time for a new blog. I think it would be great if the reporter had a forum area... so things could get off track and still be organized... somewhat.
skeptic, I guess it was the snarkiness, as you put it, that bothered me. I get that you have no feelings towards God, but others that do may be a little bothered by a comparison of their spiritual force to bigfoot, as I was. God is a big part of my life, so of course its a little insulting to see comparisons like that. No hard feelings, and I really appreciated the way you handled your second comment, as I said. I wish more atheists and agnostics would do things this way, as I'm sure you wish some Christians would handle you better.
notinia, amen to that. Theists tend to talk to me as if their god is real, so I see no reason why I cannot talk to them as if it is not. They also tend to invite me (as SJ did) to come to THEIR church and then I will "see the light". I have seen the light, it just happens to be a different shade of light than they see.
I just wish everyone would think of others (and not just their intended target), and their feelings/beliefs/etc, before they make comments. This goes for comments made out in the real world in addition to online, and applies to subjects other than religion.
An atheist could be just as offended by the "A family that prays together, stays together" bumper sticker, as you were by the bigfoot crack.
I'm an atheist, but you don't see my "Jesus died 2000 years ago, get over it" bumper sticker.
There's always 2 sides to the offensive coin.
"I'm an atheist, but you don't see my "Jesus died 2000 years ago, get over it" bumper sticker."
If Jesus existed 2000 years ago, as your Bumper Sticker implies, then How can you deny there is a GOD?
Maybe iowaskeptic believes, as the Jews do, that Jesus was a man, an itinerant rabbi, a good teacher, but not our Messiah?
No, iowaskeptic believes that there probably was no historical figure named Jesus as described in the bible. However, if such a man did live at that time, then yes he was merely mortal and possibly could be considered a rabbi.
Jeff, if some guy named Jesus died 2000 years ago, that has nothing to do with believing in god. Atheists can believe that there was someone named Jesus that died at some point in the past without believing that he was the son of god, or that there is even a god (I personally do not believe that such a person existed in history)
It's my belief that there may have been a guy named Jesus, who said some magical things... and got a following. More or less he was the first celebrity.
What I don't believe is that is if there is a god, he or she or it only lets you into the pearly white gates if you are a follower of the correct religion. I would hope that's based on the quality of the person.
I'm not anti religion, some religions may very well be true... I'm just not about picking one. So I guess I wouldn't be a true atheist.
Adam, I don't think an atheist should be offended at "a family that prays together, stays together" unless it was directed at atheists and implying that their families would NOT stay together. When directed at a Christian audience, it implies that prayer amongst families that believe strengthens those families. The bigfoot crack was directed at Christians, and was meant to mock their belief in God. It's all in the audience- the same comment made amongst a group of atheists would have been received well- and the intent.
So much of what has been said here are responses to offenses taken. I have a few friends and even family members that are not believers. But, they have been given every bit of information they need to make a decision - in either direction. I will probably be corrected for saying this wrong but here goes... God commanded us to "tell the world" - that's why we send missionaries to foriegn countries and oddly enough foriegn countries send their missionaries here. Once someone has been told that Christ died for their sins and all they have to do is invite Him into their hearts - it's a done deal. To argue about existence of a power greater than ourselves(GOD for alot of us)is pointless. We must be able to admit we are broken people and bow before Him before we can be restored. Those of us that do believe will keep praying for those of you who don't. Because we love you and so does God!
i find that all it takes to appreciate anything is a little understanding.
perhaps both sides of God needs this. those of us believers need to remember the leap of faith and those who are not believers need to respect the leap of faith.
i looked at these comments expecting to see positive discussion. this is a shameful look at how respectable people treat each other.
This may seem random - but it clarifies an earlier entry. My wife's grandmother attended church with us 2 times in a 3 year or so period. Both times she heard a sermon about tithing. That's why she thought all we do is ask for money. So my friend who read that and told me that's one of the reasons he doesn't go to church(because all they want is your money) got a better explanation from me. Just hoping no one else was misunderstanding me either. Tithing is between me and God. And I only reap what I sew.
Tithing means that you give ten percent of what you make to the church that you go to. Its the same with all churches here in spencer. Also the bible is classified a a non fiction book meaning that it can not be proven.
Heb 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)
"I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life, Nobody Comes To The Father Except Through Me"
(John.14:6)
Doesn't say ANYTHING about belonging to ANY Church.
Sorry, jeffeshelman/monteman/steviejoy/etc. I was 6 or 7 when I first heard the Beatles. They made me realize that the writers of the Bible were just extremely talented poets. So, if you could just "Please Please Me" and accept that if I want to listen to "The Word", I'll just listen to Rubber Soul. "I'm Only Sleeping" whenever I hear people like you preach. You think you're "Fixing A Hole" in my life, but, c'mon people, "Let It Be". I'll give my family, close friends and all my favorite hobbies "All My Loving" "Because" they're the most important things "In My Life".
Besides, if I want to listen to anyone preach about the Lord, I'll just listen to George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord", but for now, I'll stick with his first song with the Beatles, "Don't Bother Me".
Zlastone: I'm not seeing disrespect here as much as I am misunderstanding.
Steve & Jeff: good job! Kudos :)
Bus22: tithing is to the church you attend regularly... Joining a church is great for commitment and it is asked of us... But
tithing is from the heart 10% to where you attend regularly...giving is anything above.
Why are we talking about tithing? How did that conersation get started?
...Ok well anyway, tomorrow is "Love Spencer" let's go do that! :)
I respect your freedom OF Religion, your choice is to not participate. But the key to the above statement is "OF" not "from" Religion. Our job as CHRISTians is to tell the "WORLD" about Jesus and how much GOD loves them, we have done that pretty well at Dayspring. Another good point our Pastor has brought up is, Would the Community know we were gone if that Church did not exist? I think with the work done on the Spencer Dream Center and the CHRISTmas and Easter productions that the Community WOULD miss this Church.
To all non-believers: GOD LOVES YOU no matter what, and his son, JESUS CHRIST is coming back SOON. EVERY knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.
Will it be too late for you? That's between you and GOD, not any Church, not any Pastor, not anyone on this blog.
jeff, for some of us freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion are the same thing. I did find it ironic that you claim respect for freedom of religion just before you try to force christianity down the throats of atheists. Why is it that christians can yell at me (that is what all caps means) that god does exist, but if I mention that he is a fictional character I am being disrespectful of others' beliefs (which apparently bothers some people)?
My job as an Atheist is to tell the "WORLD" about the nonexistence of Jesus and that GOD is make believe.
If the last sentence bothers anyone, all I did was reverse the thoughts of Jeff's line with the appropriate substitutions (now maybe you can understand why his statements offend me).
skeptic, what I'm trying to say is that responding to things that offend you with things that are meant to offend defeats your purpose.
notinia, why do you automatically assume that my comments are "meant to offend" but the other comments are not? I am just stating my opinion that god is a fictional character and that the evidence to support his existence is no better than the evidence to support other mythical beings. Does it offend you that I have that opinion or that I express it?
Not at all, skeptic. Perhaps the other comentors meant to offend, but why respond with your own offensive comments and then act surprised when non-atheists are offended by them? The way you expressed your opinion the second time (Mon April 12) was awesome- which I expressed to you, and I wish more would handle it that way, just as I wish more Christians would live and let live. However, its only natural that someone referring to my God as a myth like bigfoot would provoke a reaction in me more than someone referring to a Bible verse, which is why I appreciated when you stated the facts as you see them with no intent to offend.
I'm just as bothered when Christians use Bible verses with the intent to bait nonbelievers into argument. However, you are the one who admitted that you were being snarky, and you were the one who was complaining about others finding him/her offensive. I guess I'm just trying to say that your opinion does not bother me, that you HAVE an opinion does not bother me, the fact that you are expressing it does not bother me, but the WAY you express it and then act like you are the only one being argued with does. There are ways to discuss religion without being snarky, and that goes for everyone.
By the way, this whole thread is getting ridiculous...
So, notinia you graciously allow me to have the opinion that god is fictitious; you graciously allow me to express the opinion that god is fictitious; but you do not allow me to place him into a category with other fictitious beings. Just making sure I don't "offend" anyone else in the future.
skeptic, please don't be patronizing. Were you, or were you not attempting to get a rise out of others by referring to bigfoot? As I said before, there are ways to discuss religion without getting snarky, which you admitted you did. That's all I'm saying- you choose to be offended by others expressing their opinions and yet you retaliate. That, I find hypocritical. Why make the problem worse? Also, I don't even know how this "debate" started, as I told you multiple times that I appreciated how you handled yourself at first. Anyway, unless you want to discuss this in a productive- and "un-snarky" manner, I'm finished with this conversation. I'm fine to agree to disagree as long as the conversation is going somewhere.
I believe in God and Jesus. I also need to correct what I said in an earlier post. I typed to fast. The bible is a fictional book. there is nothing oin there that can not be proven scientifically. And I'm not a scientologist.
I think applause during a worship service is quite proper both as an appreciation for the people who bring us beautiful expressions of God's word in the form of song and other performance, and as praise in and of itself.
If you don't mind getting back to the topic of the blog.
Also, not to have blog envy, but there is a blog on here about autism, and I'd love to have a discussion going over there about whether autism is real or not.
Much Love!
lakewriter feel free to start the discussion on the other blog.