Someone said, "if you want a friend while in office- better get yourself a dog". It's been years since I have been on council- I know you can't please everyone and I have been disagreed with while on council many times. It's sad the hatred and "accusations of Hate" if you do not agree with someone's views. This song came out in 1961 by Barbara George who used to sing in the church choir as a child. Barbara George cut the self-penned "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)", a vibrant, up-tempo number inspired by the traditional hymn "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". The photos added are from the almost 23 years on city council.
ANOTHER WORD TO THE CHURCH by Lonnie Sr Arnold
As Christians react to the ruling of the Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage, I want to point out that the primary problem is not a left-leaning Supreme Court. The primary problem is not a Democrat President. The primary problem is not a poll-driven Congress. The primary problem is the Church. Remember this, the Supreme Court can only make rulings. The President can only issue Executive Orders, and the Congress/Senate can only legislate laws. While these things are influential in the life of our nation, they do not compare to the power of the resurrected Jesus that resides in the Church. Only the Church has the life-transforming gospel, preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, with twenty-one centuries of countless circumstance-defying testimonies of people who were irresistibly drawn to Christ in faith and repentance, because of the power of the Cross.
As Christians, if we are looking to find our comfort, hope, and sense of security in getting a Conservative/Republican President, a change in the line-up on the Supreme Court or Congress, we commit a great sin. It is the sin of idolatry. The Office of the Presidency, the Supreme Court, or the Congress can easily become our golden calf. God made the gold, but sinful hearts make calves and put their hope in them.
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9)
“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” (Psalm 146:3-4)
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (Isaiah 31:1)
What are signs we trusting in the political process over the Lord?
1. We are spending more time finding hope in the news of the right person possibly being elected, rather than finding our hope in the word and promises of God.
2. We have become more politically active than spiritually active.
3. We think of our future in 4-year increments, rather than a focus on the Second Coming of Christ.
4. We are spending more time worrying and ranting, rather than repenting of your own sins.
5. We are emotionally fearful, frustrated, or angry, so that we lack a gospel-centered desire to connect with people in the LGBT community.
I am not saying Christians should abandon politics. We should be involved in politics as a part of our Christian responsibility to our country. But we must not look to the political process as the primary solution to the problems in our society. The same-sex marriage issue has a political component to it, but at its root, it is a spiritual problem that only the Church is equipped to address. Let’s be the Church.
As Christians, if we are looking to find our comfort, hope, and sense of security in getting a Conservative/Republican President, a change in the line-up on the Supreme Court or Congress, we commit a great sin. It is the sin of idolatry. The Office of the Presidency, the Supreme Court, or the Congress can easily become our golden calf. God made the gold, but sinful hearts make calves and put their hope in them.
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9)
“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” (Psalm 146:3-4)
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (Isaiah 31:1)
What are signs we trusting in the political process over the Lord?
1. We are spending more time finding hope in the news of the right person possibly being elected, rather than finding our hope in the word and promises of God.
2. We have become more politically active than spiritually active.
3. We think of our future in 4-year increments, rather than a focus on the Second Coming of Christ.
4. We are spending more time worrying and ranting, rather than repenting of your own sins.
5. We are emotionally fearful, frustrated, or angry, so that we lack a gospel-centered desire to connect with people in the LGBT community.
I am not saying Christians should abandon politics. We should be involved in politics as a part of our Christian responsibility to our country. But we must not look to the political process as the primary solution to the problems in our society. The same-sex marriage issue has a political component to it, but at its root, it is a spiritual problem that only the Church is equipped to address. Let’s be the Church.
There are many reasons for our lamentation, from fear that religious liberties will be taken away to worries about social ostracism and cultural marginalization. But of all the things that grieve us, perhaps what’s been most difficult is seeing some of our friends, some of our family members, and some of the folks we’ve sat next to in church giving their hearty “Amen” to a practice we still think is a sin and a decision we think is bad for our country. It’s one thing for the whole nation to throw a party we can’t in good conscience attend. It’s quite another to look around for friendly faces to remind us we’re not alone and then find that they are out there jamming on the dance floor. We thought the rainbow was God’s sign - Kevin DeYoung
When your WALK with God is limited to a philosophy you agree with and a prayer you prayed, it inspires debates like, "is it once saved always saved?" Nobody in the Bible, ever received Christ by praying a prayer. It's extra-biblical (not anti-biblical).
But if you are a follower of Jesus than questions like this are irrelevant because the word became flesh in you.
Words often change meanings though the years. I remember when a hard drive was a rough road and gay meant happy. The word "Christian" has also changed meaning. It used to mean, a holy person, who is following Jesus, and managing their temptations towards integrity. It described a person who was carrying their cross, dying to live, and believes the Bible.
Now the word "Christian" means someone who prayed a prayer, they agree with portions of the Bible; they live like hell, and claim to know heaven. "Christian" is no longer synonymous with godliness, righteousness, morality, honestly, or power. We hang out with sinners, become just like them, so we don't offend them, so we can win them. Now they call convictions judgments and exchanged a backbone for a wishbone!
I have decided not to confuse people with the title of Christian. From now on I am a Believer...a follower of Jesus. Jesus never made Christians, He only made disciples, who followed. #kvm
But if you are a follower of Jesus than questions like this are irrelevant because the word became flesh in you.
Words often change meanings though the years. I remember when a hard drive was a rough road and gay meant happy. The word "Christian" has also changed meaning. It used to mean, a holy person, who is following Jesus, and managing their temptations towards integrity. It described a person who was carrying their cross, dying to live, and believes the Bible.
Now the word "Christian" means someone who prayed a prayer, they agree with portions of the Bible; they live like hell, and claim to know heaven. "Christian" is no longer synonymous with godliness, righteousness, morality, honestly, or power. We hang out with sinners, become just like them, so we don't offend them, so we can win them. Now they call convictions judgments and exchanged a backbone for a wishbone!
I have decided not to confuse people with the title of Christian. From now on I am a Believer...a follower of Jesus. Jesus never made Christians, He only made disciples, who followed. #kvm
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