I heard a message at church today that applies to all of us..

.. The basic idea was that we need to get to know the people we most hate because they can teach us the thing that we most need to know. So Midas and JW need some Muslim friends, Aidan needs some gay Catholic friends, and I need some right-wing nutjob friends.

 

Like, what?

 

Danr,I don't need any friends that are either Romish or are filthy faggots,lesbians,& 'transsexuals' at all.

Aidan.

 

The idea is that they can teach you about yourself (that you can grow in compassion for those you "hate") it is a jesus thing, Like love your enemy.

 

I can understand that.

Not always easy to do, though.

 

It's never easy for us to do, but Jesus did it easily, by not centering his life on himself. That's our flaw. We (and that's all humanity) are so worried about ourselves (I've got to get more money, or I've got get more rights, or I've got to feel better about myself, or I have to get better understanding of others or myself. Me, me, me) that we can never put it aside. If we try to learn it solely by paying attention to others, that's all we'll learn, because that's what they're doing, and we can't tell the difference. BUT, if we pay attention to the life of Jesus, we'll finally see a life that really shows us who and what we are. And could be. That's what's going on in the statement "Love your neighbor as yourself." When was the last time any of us loved an enemy (be it a jerk boss, a jerk fellow CT member, a politician of the other party, George Bush, Hillary Clinton, Osama bin Laden, whomever) with the same passion you have for yourself,your guy, or your family? Because that's precisely what Jesus did. He didn't die for those who were already behaving as they should (because all sin and fall short of the glory of God), but rather he died for those who sinned against God. Those who were and are making war on God. He lived, died, and rose again for others. He never worried about his own needs.

(Now with the end of the sermon let's all rise and sing hymn #123.)

 

LOL. I didn't know you were Bill Elliot...

 

O.K. Danr, you've told some woppers before but never to this extent. How did I know it was a "lie"? You failed to post a web site related to the subject. Simple as that.:kewl:

 

KLJ,

Your post hasn't fallen on deaf ears.

I read you loud and clear.

 

(Now with the end of the sermon let's all rise and sing hymn #123.)[/QUOTE]


HYMN 123..

Shall we gather at the river.. Theres GOLD to be found

 

I try my best not to hate anyone, but as always I fail at least on some levels. You are correct that we all need to be more understanding and "tolerant" however we need to stick to our beliefs