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Posts Tagged ‘mercy’

HONEST TO GOD #1 …a river without banks…

03 Oct

HONEST TO GOD
From time to time, I’d like to use my blog as a venue to share my own personal theological and political thoughts. If you’re not interested in these posts (and who would blame you!) please feel free to ignore those classified as “Honest to God.” And if you have questions or suggestions, please comment…discussion can be fun and enlightening.

HONEST TO GOD #1
…a river without banks…

A proverbial saying declares that “a river without banks is a swamp.” The image is quite vivid I suppose, for those who live near the Mississippi River and who have seen their farmland turned into a swamp by demolished levies.

Some might consider my progressively liberal theology to be a murky, muddy swamp-like spiritual pool. But I still have some banks alongside my theological river; but they’re further apart than they were in my younger years. My banks have been established by lifetime of struggles and conflicts…they are definitely not some sort of denominationally built canal.

I’ve listed here, a few of my banks. I invite you to read them, and to consider if they might be similar to yours. I also invite you to comment upon them. I’m not claiming to be “right,” so you just might make a comment that causes me to reconsider my stance.

Anyway…these things I believe:
• God loves all people, without exception.
• To follow God’s example we must forgiving and show mercy to others.
• Social justice and civil rights matter.
• God still speaks through the Bible, through other literary works, through people and through nature.
• War is not the solution to international conflicts.
• What we believe, is less important than how we treat others.

I don’t claim to be right…I’m just trying to be HONEST TO GOD.

 
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Posted in New Life

 

Remains #2

18 Jul

…the most hated woman in America…

Casey Anthony was released from jail two days ago. As she left the jail, she needed the protective custody of two law enforcement officers, who thought they needed the protection of the full swat gear they wore.

It seems obvious that Casey Anthony is currently “the most hated woman in America.” Officers say she has received numerous death threats…at least 7 of which they consider to be sincere. Her close relatives have disowned her, and her distant relatives have advised her to get plastic surgery to disguise her appearance. Others have encouraged her to change her name and leave the country.

It really doesn’t matter how I feel about the verdict. It’s unimportant whether I believe the reports and speculations. I’m not even in a position to voice my opinion of our judicial system, though my opinions are quite strong.

But most importantly, I’m not in a position to become judge and jury of any other human being. I too have committed more than my share of damage in this world. Were it not for the grace and forgiveness of God, shown through God’s people, I would not have survived.

I know how it feels to have the mercy of God wash over your soul. And having experienced that rebirth, that cleansing, that open embrace…I could never deny that gift to another.

 
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Posted in New Life