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December 29 Hello!Hi Folks,
I haven't posted here in a long time and this new set up has me all confused. I'm not sure if all of you know this but I am part
owner of a Chat Room and Forums. I made a decision a couple months ago that I needed to be dedicating my on line time
to Servant Chat (the name of my chat room) as our numbers have been falling off a lot over the last several months.
If anyone one wants to come by for a
chat or drop a note in the Forums you can find me here:
Hope you all had wonderful holidays and that I hear from you soon.
love
gracey
October 25 My Personal ‘Faith Priorities’ for this ElectionHave you ever been reading something and feel like "oh my gosh! this person crawled inside my brain and wrote about what I think! Well here is the article I read today that made me feel that way: My Personal ‘Faith Priorities’ for this Election by Jim Wallis 10-23-2008 In 2004, several conservative Catholic bishops and a few megachurch pastors like Rick Warren issued their list of “non-negotiables,” which were intended to be a voter guide for their followers. All of them were relatively the same list of issues: abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc. None of them even included the word “poverty,” only one example of the missing issues which are found quite clearly in the Bible. All of them were also relatively the same as official Republican Party Web sites of “non-negotiables.” The political connections and commitments of the religious non-negotiable writers were quite clear. I want to suggest a different approach this year and share my personal list of “faith priorities” that will guide me in making the imperfect choices that always confront us in any election year — and suggest that each of you come up with your own list of “faith” or “moral” priorities for this election year and take them into the voting booth with you. After the last election, I wrote a book titled God’s Politics. I was criticized by some for presuming to speak for God, but that wasn’t the point. I was trying to explore what issues might be closest to the heart of God and how they may be quite different from what many strident religious voices were then saying. I was also saying that “God’s Politics” will often turn our partisan politics upside down, transcend our ideological categories of Left and Right, and challenge the core values and priorities of our political culture. I was also trying to say that there is certainly no easy jump from God’s politics to either the Republicans or Democrats. God is neither. In any election, we face imperfect choices, but our choices should reflect the things we believe God cares about if we are people of faith, and our own moral sensibilities if we are not people of faith. Therefore, people of faith, and all of us, should be “values voters” but vote all our values, not just a few that can be easily manipulated for the benefit of one party or another. In 2008, the kingdom of God is not on the ballot in any of the 50 states as far as I can see. So we can’t vote for that this year. But there are important choices in this year’s election — very important choices — which will dramatically impact what many in the religious community and outside of it call “the common good,” and the outcome could be very important, perhaps even more so than in many recent electoral contests. I am in no position to tell anyone what is “non-negotiable,” and neither is any bishop or megachurch pastor, but let me tell you the “faith priorities” and values I will be voting on this year: With more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about how we treat the poor and oppressed, I will examine the record, plans, policies, and promises made by the candidates on what they will do to overcome the scandal of extreme global poverty and the shame of such unnecessary domestic poverty in the richest nation in the world. Such a central theme of the Bible simply cannot be ignored at election time, as too many Christians have done for years. And any solution to the economic crisis that simply bails out the rich, and even the middle class, but ignores those at the bottom should simply be unacceptable to people of faith. From the biblical prophets to Jesus, there is, at least, a biblical presumption against war and the hope of beating our swords into instruments of peace. So I will choose the candidates who will be least likely to lead us into more disastrous wars and find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in the world and make us all safer. I will choose the candidates who seem to best understand that our security depends upon other people’s security (everyone having “their own vine and fig tree, so no one can make them afraid,” as the prophets say) more than upon how high we can build walls or a stockpile of weapons. Christians should never expect a pacifist president, but we can insist on one who views military force only as a very last resort, when all other diplomatic and economic measures have failed, and never as a preferred or habitual response to conflict. “Choosing life” is a constant biblical theme, so I will choose candidates who have the most consistent ethic of life, addressing all the threats to human life and dignity that we face — not just one. Thirty-thousand children dying globally each day of preventable hunger and disease is a life issue. The genocide in Darfur is a life issue. Health care is a life issue. War is a life issue. The death penalty is a life issue. And on abortion, I will choose candidates who have the best chance to pursue the practical and proven policies which could dramatically reduce the number of abortions in America and therefore save precious unborn lives, rather than those who simply repeat the polarized legal debates and “pro-choice” and “pro-life” mantras from either side. God’s fragile creation is clearly under assault, and I will choose the candidates who will likely be most faithful in our care of the environment. In particular, I will choose the candidates who will most clearly take on the growing threat of climate change, and who have the strongest commitment to the conversion of our economy and way of life to a cleaner, safer, and more renewable energy future. And that choice could accomplish other key moral priorities like the redemption of a dangerous foreign policy built on Middle East oil dependence, and the great prospects of job creation and economic renewal from a new “green” economy built on more spiritual values of conservation, stewardship, sustainability, respect, responsibility, co-dependence, modesty, and even humility. Every human being is made in the image of God, so I will choose the candidates who are most likely to protect human rights and human dignity. Sexual and economic slavery is on the rise around the world, and an end to human trafficking must become a top priority. As many religious leaders have now said, torture is completely morally unacceptable, under any circumstances, and I will choose the candidates who are most committed to reversing American policy on the treatment of prisoners. And I will choose the candidates who understand that the immigration system is totally broken and needs comprehensive reform, but must be changed in ways that are compassionate, fair, just, and consistent with the biblical command to “welcome the stranger.” Healthy families are the foundation of our community life, and nothing is more important than how we are raising up the next generation. As the father of two young boys, I am deeply concerned about the values our leaders model in the midst of the cultural degeneracy assaulting our children. Which candidates will best exemplify and articulate strong family values, using the White House and other offices as bully pulpits to speak of sexual restraint and integrity, marital fidelity, strong parenting, and putting family values over economic values? And I will choose the candidates who promise to really deal with the enormous economic and cultural pressures that have made parenting such a “countercultural activity” in America today, rather than those who merely scapegoat gay people for the serious problems of heterosexual family breakdown. That is my list of personal “faith priorities” for the election year of 2008, but they are not “non-negotiables” for anyone else. It’s time for each of us to make up our own list in these next 12 days. Make your list and send this on to your friends and family members, inviting them to do the same thing. Fear Mongering at it's bestFear Mongering at it's best:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_re_us/christian_right_attacks_6 Again, check the facts: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/ http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/50lies.asp Dobson and gang should be ashamed of themselfs for this type of fear mongering and lies. It is exactly this kind of behavior that makes me ashamed to call myself a "Christian", when the word "Christian" is associated with
this type of people who engage in manipulation, dishonesty and fear mongering. Call me a liberal, call me an idiot,
call me a trouble maker, but please please don't call me a right winged evangelical Christian. I love Jesus but I
am NOT a part of a group like this. Honestly this kind of thing is absolutely disgusting to me, when people hi jack
the name of "Chritian" which means Christ like and then act like this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quotes from John McCain: "Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States"-John McCain In another exchange, a woman told McCain that she didn't trust Obama because "he's an Arab." Shaking his head and taking the microphone from her, McCain replied: "No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about." love gracey September 28 Palin? you have got to be kidding meI could not have said this better myself. I'm appalled people could even imagine voting for mccain, 72 yrs old with history of cancer three times, and knowing that if something happened to him, this woman with absoultely no qualifications necessary to be the president of the most powerful country in the world would step in as president. The ignorant thinking that just because she is pro life makes her a good choice for the most powerful position on this planet is absolutely mind boggling, and to even try to say she is as qualified as Obama is so utterly obtuse it doesn't even deserve a response, all you have to do is listen to them in interviews to see there is absolutely no comparison.
just my strong opinion lol love gracey Palin’s Words Raise Red Flags By BOB HERBERT Published: September 26, 2008 The country is understandably focused on the financial crisis. But there is another serious issue in front of us that is not getting nearly enough attention, and that’s whether Sarah Palin is qualified to be vice president — or, if the situation were to arise, president of the United States History has shown again and again that a vice president must be ready to assume command of the ship of state on a moment’s notice. But Ms. Palin has given no indication yet that she is capable of handling the monumental responsibilities of the presidency if she were called upon to do so. In fact, the opposite is the case. We know that there are some parts of Alaska from which, if the day is clear and your eyesight is good, you can actually see Russia. But the infantile repetition of this bit of trivia as some kind of foreign policy bona fide for a vice presidential candidate should give us pause. The McCain campaign has done its bizarre best to shield Ms. Palin from any sustained media examination of her readiness for the highest offices in the land, and no wonder. She has been an embarrassment in interviews. But the idea that the voters of the United States might install someone in the vice president’s office who is too unprepared or too intellectually insecure to appear on, say, “Meet the Press” or “Face the Nation” is mind-boggling. The alarm bells should be clanging and warning lights flashing. You wouldn’t put an unqualified pilot in the thingypit of a jetliner. The potential for catastrophe is far, far greater with an unqualified president. The United States has been lucky in terms of the qualifications of the vice presidents who have had to step in over the last several decades for presidents who either died or, in Richard Nixon’s case, were forced to leave office. Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson became extraordinary presidents in their own right. Gerald Ford successfully guided the nation through the immediate aftermath of one of the most traumatic political crises in its history. For those who think Sarah Palin is in that league, there is no problem. But her unscripted public appearances would lead most honest observers to think otherwise. When asked again this week about her puerile linkage of foreign policy proficiency and Alaska’s proximity to Russia, this time by Katie Couric of CBS News, here is what Ms. Palin said she meant: “That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land — boundary that we have with — Canada.” She went on, but lost her way midsentence: “It’s funny that a comment like that was kind of made to — cari — I don’t know, you know? Reporters ...” Ms. Couric said, “Mocked?” “Yeah, mocked,” said Ms. Palin. “I guess that’s the word. Yeah.” It is not just painful, but frightening to watch someone who could become the vice president of the United States stumbling around like this in an interview. Ms. Couric asked Ms. Palin to explain how Alaska’s proximity to Russia “enhances your foreign policy credentials.” “Well, it certainly does,” Ms. Palin replied, “because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there—” Gently interrupting, Ms. Couric asked, “Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?” “We have trade missions back and forth,” said Ms. Palin. “We do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to our state.” It was surreal, the kind of performance that would generate a hearty laugh if it were part of a Monty Python sketch. But this is real life, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As Ms. Palin was fumbling her way through the Couric interview, the largest bank failure in the history of the United States, the collapse of Washington Mutual, was occurring. The press has an obligation to hammer away at Ms. Palin’s qualifications. If it turns out that she has just had a few bad interviews because she was nervous or whatever, additional scrutiny will serve her well. If, on the other hand, it becomes clear that her performance, so far, is an accurate reflection of her qualifications, it would behoove John McCain and the Republican Party to put the country first — as Mr. McCain loves to say — and find a replacement for Ms. Palin on the ticket. My FatherMy mom took all our old movie tapes (way back from the late 50's and early 60's) and had them transferred to
a DVD and gave my brother and I copies. My father died when I was 18 months old and my brother was six
weeks old. There are parts of the movie that show my father and I together, him holding me, playing in the
snow with me and the two of us going for a ride in the car... No baby car seats back then
 I sat here watching the video crying my sentimental head off wondering what my life would have been like had
he lived. What kind of woman would I be today if I had grown up knowing I had the safety of Daddys arms
to run to when things were scary? How different would I have been if he had been there to protect me from
things that happen to me as a child that should never happen to any child? He was a shy sensitive man, what
would it have been like to have him there to listen, understand, love me and make me feel safe?
My childhood was full of fear, I was afraid of everything, especially
afraid that suddenly, one day, without warning, someone I loved would drive away and never ever come home
again. That is a fear that has never left me, even 50 years later.
It's easy to make up the perfect father in your imagination when you only had him in real life for such
a short time. For some reason one of the things I most longed for was to have him there to tuck me in at night.
Nighttime was so scary for me when I was little, there were always bad dreams and I was terrified of the dark.
I wonder if he had been there to tuck me and kiss my forehead if I would have been able to feel safe and peaceful
and had good dreams?
I guess I'll never know the answers to these questions, but I do know that one day I will see him again and that
thought gives me more comfort than I can express. There will be no more fear, no more sadness, and all the tears
will be wiped away. September 25 blah...Hi everyone,
I haven't blog for awhile so I thought I would take the time to say hi. I'm not having a good day, I debated if I should
bore you all with my whining and here I am. I'm disabled and have several medical problems. I have a very rare form
of arthritis called Anklyosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia. I deal with chronic pain every single day of my life, some days
aren't bad, some are. There are other symptoms that go along with some of the diseases I have, one that is particularly
annoying is when I start dropping things. I droped almost everything I picked up today, advil all over the kitchen floor,
ice tea and ice all over the place, glass landing on my foot, dropped two forks, etc etc... I get SO frustrated
when that happens and I have a hard time keeping a positive attitude when these episodes hit. The thing is that
I don't "look" disabled, if we went to dinner or something you would never know anything was wrong with me. I don't
talk about my pain everyday, who wants to listen to that? But the problem is I appear to be fine and it seems the
people around me tend to forget that there are really a lot of things wrong with me. If anyone has tried to get
disability you know how hard it is to get it, I got it right away when I applied and I wish the people in my life
would remember that so that when the bad days come they would understand, but it's always been this way and
I really am not sure what to do about it, I guess they will realize it when I'm finally in a wheel chair, which can
happen and I pray it doesn't. I need to add something here though, God has blessed me with doug and he is
so caring and helps me all the time, I just don't know what I would do without him. Ok I'm done complaining,
tomorrow will hopefully be better!
shalom
gracey
September 17 COG/SheliaHi Everyone,
I talked to cogly on the phone yesterday. She has been without electricity since sunday due to the weather, she asked
me to tell you all that she is fine and will be back on the computer whenever they finally get the power back on.
Shalom
gracey
September 09 Obama Tax PlanYou can verify this at:
In his acceptance speech to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., presidential nominee John McCain made the case for his candidacy. His speech highlighted personal biography and policy positions. At times it made contrasts between McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama. "We believe in a government that unleashes the creativity and initiative of Americans," McCain said. "Government that doesn't make your choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself. I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them." McCain is partially right that Obama will raise taxes. Obama intends to roll back the Bush administration's tax cuts on people with incomes of $250,000 for couples and $200,000 for singles. McCain, on the other hand, wants to leave the Bush tax cuts in place for all income levels. But Obama's proposals also include a number of tax cuts for people who make less than those amounts. Obama advocates eliminating income taxes for seniors with incomes less than $50,000. He also proposes a $1,000 tax credit on income for working families ($500 for singles), to offset payroll taxes. The Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research group, has extensively analyzed both candidates tax plans and published a report on their findings. "The Obama plan would reduce taxes for low- and moderate-income families, but raise them significantly for high-bracket taxpayers," the report concluded. "By 2012, middle-income taxpayers would see their after-tax income rise by about 5 percent, or nearly $2,200 annually. Those in the top 1 percent would face a $19,000 average tax increase — a 1.5 percent reduction in after-tax income." Given this analysis, McCain abbreviates Obama's plan too much. Obama's tax plan includes tax cuts for many. We rate McCain's statement that Obama will raise taxes to be Half True.
Political liesThere are so many lies told in regards to this elections it can be hard to figure out what the truth is. Here is a site I found
helpful. It is neither dem or republican and it lists all the different attacks and claims and then shows what the REAL truth is.
Hope you find in helpful
Shalom
gracey
September 08 ApologyHi Everyone,
I feel like I need to apologize to a some people. Sometimes it's several days before I get a chance to post here and then I forget
who I have responded to and who I didn't. It's old timers disease I guess. Anyway if you have asked me a question and I didn't
answer, it's not because I didn't want to, it's cuz I don't have many brain cells left and I forgot to. I really am one of the most
forgetfull people in the world. My Uncle called one time, and I was only in my 20's then and wanted me to tell my mom to pick
him up from the airport, and I even forgot that, what a mess that was!
 Anyway please forgive me if I didn't respond to youand please be so kind as to ask me again if it was something you want to know! Someone asked if I was Jewish, prolly cuz
I say "Shalom" a lot, but I can't remember who it was LOL No, I'm not Jewish I just love that word. I did a blog on the word
Shalom thats really cool if you want to read it. Who was it that asked me that? Anyway, I don't ignore anyone on purpose!
Honest!
love
gracey
September 06 Sarah Palin supports Aerial HuntingTake a look at this. Palin not only supports this but participates in it.
September 03 Friends ListHello Everyone,
I just wanted to let people know that if I am sent a Friends invitation but your page is set to "private" I won't be
accepting the invitation. I would like to know a little bit about someone before I decided to have them on
my freinds list. I'm sure there are various reasons folks have their pages set to private and thats fine, I just didn't
want anyone to take it personnally if I declined the invitation...
I also decline if it is in a language I don't know...
Shalom
gracey
August 30 Said I loved you but I liedYou are the candle, love's the flame You are the candle, love's the flame ShalomHello Freinds,
Someone shared something with me that I would like to share with the rest of you. Many of you may have noticed I
use the word Shalom, it is intended at a blessing. I don't know much at all about the hebrew language, just a few
words, but I fell in love with the word Shalom when I read this definition:
"For people to be in Shalom means that their life is in balance and that they relate to the whole of what surrounds
them with a peaceful Spirit. Shalom conveys what God planned for the creation. Shalom means that people are
in good relationship with God, themselfs, and their bodies, with their neighbors and with the earth."
A freind shared a further definition with me today that I would like to share with the rest of you:
we know that “shalom” is more than a Hebrew hello. Shalom means so much more because it mean completeness.
I am blessed when someone is speaking it over my life for nothing to be incomplete.
Shalom actually breaks down even further into completeness, wholeness, peace, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, fullness, perfection, harmony, the absence of agitation and the absence of discord. Now who wouldn’t want that in our lives. To you and your loved ones…Shalom. There is a certain kind of peace that the world has, Jesus say's: "I have come to give you peace (shalom), different than what the world has." Thank you my freind for sharing that with me! Shalom to you all Gracey
August 29 Democratic ConventionHi All,
Just wanted to mention I watched the Democratic Convention last night and it was awesome! Of course I am
a huge Obama fan, but like I told Doug, "We are watching history being made here, our grandchildren will learn in
school someday about the first black man who ever ran for president and I hope he is the first black man to
be president. Sorts of gave me the chills. Racism has been a horrible evil in our country and it feels good to know
that we have finally come to a place where this is possible and for the first time in over 8 years I felt good
about this country.
Gods peace to you all
gracey
August 27 Ellens WeddingI recently ran across a picture at “E on line” of Ellen and her girlfriend on their wedding day. The most disturbing part was the 200 plus comments on the picture. The hatred flying back and forth in the comments section was almost unbelievable. I just don’t get it. I can not comprehend why people get so angry about things like this. I want to clear up something right at the start, I’m sure people are asking themselves if I even believe homosexuality is a sin. According to what I read in the bible it seems that yes, it is a sin. But there are a whole lot of sins, I don’t see us trying to keep adulterers, liars, thief’s, or murderers from getting married. I think homosexuality has been singled out for the Christians favorite hate group and personally it just makes me sick. We are to love EVERYONE regardless of sin in their life, if we are going to love only sinless people then we will hate everyone in the world. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, every single person who points their fingers at other sinners are sinners too, no one here was Born a Christian, we all have sin, and we all were sinners and Jesus loved us anyway. Remember when you point your finger there are three pointing back at you. Here is an article by John Kooper that I think makes some excellent points: Next, let's stop off for a quick review of the Ten Commandments. While members of the Southern Baptist Convention consider homosexuality to be a sin so grievous it warrants passage of a constitutional amendment, here in America, you can lie, steal, cheat, sleep with your neighbor's wife and even commit murder, and we still don't take away your right to get married.
In fact you can break all 10 of God's commandments, and the protectors of virtue don't call for removing the right to marriage. They have reserved that punishment strictly for the sin of homosexuality. Apparently only this sin requires the stripping away of basic human rights and the denial of nearly 50 legal and civil liberties currently attached to the institution of marriage.
Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga is one of 96 House members who have signed on to a resolution that would recognize marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman. Wamp says he bases his policy decision on the biblical values of the Old Testament and views homosexual behavior as a sin. In the next breath, he says he does not believe his support for a constitutional ban on gay marriage is imposing his religious views on anyone.
How can that be, Rep. Wamp? Are you truly that blind to your own hypocrisy?
Freedom of religion and separation of church and state are both mandated in the U.S. Constitution to protect everyone's rights. This means that if radical Muslim fundamentalists became the majority in our country, they could not force legislation based on their interpretation of the Koran on the nation's Christian minority. In this democracy, we have a right to choose our beliefs, not the right to impose our beliefs on others.
We are currently spilling American blood and spending hundreds of billions of dollars to overthrow a radical theocracy in Afghanistan and prevent another one from taking hold in Iraq. How can we risk American lives and capital to promote democracy over theocracy in these Muslim nations while pushing for laws based on specific religious beliefs here at home?
If the religious right wants to launch a pre-emptive strike against gay marriage, why not sponsor national legislation recognizing civil unions for same-sex couples so that the typical rights of life partners apply equally to gay couples? Recognize their rights to inherit their partner's estate without taxation, to share social security and other retirement and pension benefits that heterosexuals take for granted. Give them the legal rights afforded to everyone else through marriage and leave the question of the holy sacrament of marriage to the choice of individual churches where it belongs.
We have all witnessed the anguish and divisiveness created inside the Episcopal Church as its members struggle with their personal beliefs on homosexuality; we don't need to experience this same upheaval as a nation. America has always been a country of inclusion, and that has made us strong. No matter what our sexual leanings or religious preferences, we are all Americans first.
If we vote to be Christians first and Americans second we will be on our way to becoming a Christian theocracy, and our democracy will be lost to fear. John Kooper is a member of the Tennessee Alliance for Progress media committee.
The so called Christians were saying some very hateful things, using words like “sick, disgusting, perverted, marrying dogs, makes me puke, burn in hell, God hates them” which of course made the other people angry so they lashed back with “hypocrite, where is your Gods love, Christians are hateful, Christians are judgmental” and the war was on. There is just no excuse for going into a tirade, calling people names, wishing death on others and ranting and raving like a bunch of lunatics. I can’t describe the kind of deep sadness I feel when I read things like this. In one of Philip Yanceys books he did an informal survey, asking random people what first came to their mind when they heard the words "Evangelical Christians" every single person answered with slight variations, something like "a right winged republican who is against abortion and gay people" Every single solitary person describe an "Evangelical Christian" in political terms, not one person mentioned Jesus or Love or anything about the bible. That makes me feel so sad and so frustrated inside. We need to get back to our purpose as Christians. We are commanded to Love God, Love others, Love our enemies and spread the good news, to reach out to the lost and hurting and show them Jesus. How sad is it when people think of Christians and only think of a political party and political issues? How does someone else getting married affect us personally in our own life’s to such a degree that we will stoop so low as to talk to other human beings that way? People are always saying “marriage” is between a man and a woman, well maybe your marriage is, and maybe in your belief system it is, but obviously in Ellens marriage it isn’t. How does that affect your life or my life? What possible damage can come to my life or your life because someone we haven’t’ even met got married? How does marriage between gay people have any impact whatsoever in our life’s? As Christians we may believe that homosexuality is a sin, but if they get married who am I to Rant and rave and call them names? All we accomplish with that is to make people hate Christians, we must share the truth with love, if they get married it is their business, not mine! I hear these wild scenarios that don’t make any sense… “Next thing you know people will be marrying their dogs” Give me a break. A dog is not a human being capable of giving their consent for a marriage, there is absolutely no comparison there. Then the threats are made about how God is going to destroy California because California lets gay people get married, well if God is in the business of destroying places that allow sin then the entire world should be ashes by now because there is sin everywhere you turn. If you truly believe that God only recognizes a marriage between a man and a woman then what is all the fuss about? If that is the way we believe then God isn’t recognizing that marriage anyway so why does everyone get in such an uproar? I just feel so sad when I see people acting like hateful vicious animals and then calling themselves Christians, and then we wonder why people have such a poor conception of Christians. Of course not all Christians behave this way but it seems the ones who act the most hateful are the loudest ones and they are the ones people notice. To make matters worse most of the other Christians don’t speak up when their fellow Christians carry on this way and that leaves the impression that we agree with their attitudes and behavior. The comments left from the people who aren’t Christians just broke my heart, all they see of “Christians” are the ones who are hateful and judgmental and hypocritical, what chance is their for people who see Christians like that to ever come to Jesus? Why would they want to be part of a group who acts that way? All we accomplish here is pushing people farther from Jesus and the idea that maybe someone’s soul might be lost because this is what they have witnessed from so called Christians is just the most awful thing I can imagine. We will answer for the way we act, for the way we represent Jesus and God help us if our behavior pushes a lost soul away from God and the excuse of “I’m just stating the truth” is nothing but an excuse, you are to state the truth in LOVE, not in hatred, and too many people use the excuse of “I’m just stating the truth” as a banner to hold and excuse their hateful non-Christian behavior. Jesus always reached out to sinners in love, the times he showed anger and frustration was when he was addressing the self righteous Pharisee’s who followed the rules and were cold inside with no love, they were the ones he was angry with. We have way to many modern day Pharisees in the church today. I think the major problem with this issue stems from getting religion and politics mixed together. Just because my religion believes certain things I feel it is wrong for me to try to force my beliefs on others through the judicial system. Regardless of what my religious beliefs are, as Americans, everyone deserves equal rights, even if it’s someone who has a lifestyle or religion that we personally don’t agree with. I have no right to force my beliefs on someone else by violating their rights or pushing for laws to force my beliefs on others. I think this comment that was left by someone is so true. Warning, it is done with sarcasm but he makes some excellent points…. 1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, liposuction and air conditioning. 2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall. 3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract. 4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal. 5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage in Las Vegas would be destroyed. 6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children 7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children. 8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America. 9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children. 10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans...
Well this blog is a dangerous one to leave among “Christians” and I know the majority of you will disagree with me, but I felt I just had to post this. I don’t know what the answers are anymore all I know is what my Lord commanded me to do, he said if I love God and Love Others I will fulfill All the commandments… Maybe I just have a different idea of what loving others mean cuz I sure don’t seem to be with the majority of Christians on this issue. If I have “offended” you I am sorry, but I felt I had to speak Out on this issue regardless of the consequences…
Love and peace
Gracey TaggedOk, I usually skip all the tag type things but thought this is a neat way to get to know each other better...
A. Attached or single? Attached B. Best friend? My best freind on line is COG, doug is my other best freind C. Cake or pie? Cake. German Chocolate D. Day of choice? I love Saturdays cuz doug is usually off work and my daughter is out of school, it's such a relaxing day E. Essential item? Hand Cream, I'm a neurotic with my hand cream lol F. Favorite color? teal G. Gummy bears or worms? I love them both, if I had to pick one it would be the worms H. Hometown? San Fransico Bay Area I. Indulgence? Chocoatel Truffles from Lindor J. January or July? July. I love summer and really don't like winter at all. K. Kids? Four, two daughters and two sons. Two of them are my step children but they are just like my own L. Life isn’t complete without? Jesus M. Marriage date? next summer... N. Number of brothers & sisters? One brother who happens to be having surgery tomorrow for melanoma, please pray for him O. Oranges or apples? Pink Lady apples, the best! P. Phobias? Heights and snakes Q. Quotes? Serenity isn't freedom from the storm it is peace within the storm. R. Reasons to smile? My loved ones S. Season of choice? Summer! Give me the heat! U. Unknown fact about me? I am a cancer survivor V. Vegetable? Asparagus, Cucumbers, sort of a tie there W. Worst habits? Procrastinating, I'm horrble about that. X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultra sound, the bed is more comfy Y. Your favorite food? Chicken Scampi from Olive Garden, I could eat that every day Z. Zodiac sign? Libra August 13 back from campingWell the camping trip was great. Our camping spot was on grass instead of dirt so I loved that. They had showers and stuff there
and that was great. It really was a wonderful week-end. I loved spending time with everyone without the distraction
of tv, phone, computer etc. This was my first camping trip in about 14 years and it sure is a lot less work when you don't have
four kids to watch after! In the evenings we played "scattegories" and talked and just hung out together. We went to see
some waterfalls and rented one of those boats you pedal at the lake, we let my daughter and her boyfriend do the pedaling so
that was great for doug and I! Anyway it was really a special time and one that I will always remember. Oh.... cogly and rhonda...
I got pretty close to getting wild and going without make up but I just couldn't force myself to go without
the mascara LOL
August 07 be back mondaySorry for not posting or commenting very much this week, we are getting ready to go camping and have been busy. I'm really
excited about this trip cuz my daughter and her boyfreind are coming with us and with her being 17 we don't do a whole lot
of things together so this will be great!
I'll see you all on Monday, have a great week-end!
love
gracey
p.s. Cogly, I'm actually going camping in a tent! LOL! I might even get really crazy and not wear make-up while I'm there!
woooo hoooo LOL
AbnormalSometime I really wonder what is wrong with me. I'm not "normal" at all. I read Christian blogs, forums and
conversations in Christian chat rooms and always wonder why I am so different from the rest of the Christians?
The things that offend the majority of Christians don't faze me a bit, non-Christians, cuss words, liberals,
people who think or live different than I do, none of those things ruffle my feathers yet I hear Christians go on
about these things a lot. The one that really baffles me is cussing. Maybe other Christians live in a different world
than I do but I hear people cuss all the time, and I myself slip into that sometimes, or maybe it's cuz I was
active in AA for so many years and my freinds there cuss their heads off. I have family, neighbors, freinds who
all cuss and I never give it a second thought. To me it's just words, so what in the world is the fuss all about?
Good grief, if I was offended everytime someone said a cuss word I would go around offended all the time. I've
had conversations in Christian chat rooms with non-christians who are sharing some serious things, talking about
their trials and stuff that causes them pain and they may say a cuss word and suddently the whole room of Christians
attack them, all their problems and pain are forgotten while all the Christians freak out over the person saying
"shit" or something. Of course that puts the person on the defensive and makes them put a wall up and stop sharing.
Why do Christians do that? Someone please explain to me what the big deal is? It makes me so angry when
they shut someone down who is in pain over some stupid word, actually it makes me want to cuss LOL
I just dont' get it, I really don't. I can't understand why someone would let a word bother them like that
and waste the time being "offended".
Top that off with my being a pacifist and a liberal and loving non-christians
and I just seem like the odd ball. Sometimes I wish there was a better word to label myself than the word
"Christian" cuz I'm not at all like 99% of the Christians I know... sometimes it feels really lonely and yet I
refuse to conform to the image of what a Christian is suppose to be like. If I have to ok war and capitol punishment
and be a conservative and go around offended over some stupid word then I don't want to be labeled a Christian.
I guess I'll just call myself someone who loves Jesus, thats what it boils down to, I just love him. Maybe it's because
of my past, I come from a very dark place, my life was a total wreck and I hope I never forget where I came from,
it helps me to have compassion and relate to other people who are living that sort of life.
Ok that is my rant for today, and I better stop here because I might offend someone *rolls eyes*
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