Our Thoughts: Beacons Of Light

"As a man thinks, so is he." (Prov. 23:7) I am fully persuaded that a person's life will be determined by his/her thoughts. As our thinking changes, we change. Do our thoughts have limits? Only those that we create for ourselves. A thought has "a life of its own." That life represents a light. That light shines and shines. Then come more lights. Many lights. The more lights......the more freedom.

I Refuse To Condemn Them

They can call me intolerant. They can call me a hater. They can call me a bigot. They can call me a hypocrite. They can call me all of the gross names they want to. Unkind names do not convince me that I have made a mistake by believing the Word of God. I refuse to respond with unkind names. I refuse to respond with insults. I refuse to condemn them. It is not my place. It is not my responsibility. Nevertheless, the Bible, which I believe to be the inspired Word of God declares that homosexuality and lesbianism are sins. Therefore, I will not agree that it is a legitimate lifestyle. I believe in freedom. I believe that a person should be able to live his or her life any way he or she chooses. I choose not to hate anyone. I refuse to hate anyone. I have two questions. Just because I do not agree with someone's lifestyle, does that mean I hate them? Am I able to love someone if I do not agree with the lifestyle of that person? I will continue to pray for others. I will continue to serve God. I will continue to refuse to hate anyone. I refuse to condemn. I am just unable to agree with everything people do. Do you agree with everything people do?

Question Of The Week pt. 4

According to the Bible, marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Gay marriage/same-sex marriage is a perversion of the institution of marriage and an offense to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. Rather, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and contend for truth with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).

Question Of The Week pt. 3

The answer, according to the Bible, is that everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural, and the only way to suppress this inherent knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all opposition to it. The best way to normalize homosexuality is by placing gay marriage/same-sex marriage on an equal plane with traditional opposite-gender marriage. Romans 1:18-32 illustrates this. The truth is known because God has made it plain. The truth is rejected and replaced with a lie. The lie is then promoted and the truth suppressed and attacked. The vehemence and anger expressed by many in the gay rights movement to any who oppose them is, in fact, an indication that they know their position is indefensible. Trying to overcome a weak position by raising your voice is the oldest trick in the debating book. There is perhaps no more accurate description of the modern gay rights agenda than Romans 1:31, “they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

To give sanction to gay marriage/same-sex marriage would be to give approval to the homosexual lifestyle, which the Bible clearly and consistently condemns as sinful. Christians should stand firmly against the idea of gay marriage/same-sex marriage. Further, there are strong and logical arguments against gay marriage/same-sex marriage from contexts completely separated from the Bible. One does not have to be an evangelical Christian to recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Question Of The Week pt. 2

The Bible alone, however, does not have to be used to demonstrate this understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage. Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good gender role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In nature/physicality, clearly, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, clearly only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. Nature argues against gay marriage.

So, if the Bible, history, psychology, and nature all argue for marriage being between a man and a woman—why is there such a controversy today? Why are those who are opposed to gay marriage/same-sex marriage labeled as hateful, intolerant bigots, no matter how respectfully the opposition is presented? Why is the gay rights movement so aggressively pushing for gay marriage/same-sex marriage when most people, religious and non-religious, are supportive of—or at least far less opposed to—gay couples having all the same legal rights as married couples with some form of civil union?

Question Of The Week pt. 1

The following question, with its answer was taken from a Christian website by the name of Got Questions.Org. Since the answer is long, it will take four blogs to show the answer.

Question: "What does the Bible say about gay marriage/same sex marriage?"

Answer: While the Bible does address homosexuality, it does not explicitly mention gay marriage/same-sex marriage. It is clear, however, that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.

Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24, describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33, the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Biblically speaking, marriage is the lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.

I'm A Summer time Guy

Yesterday was the first day of Summer. Bring it on! I'm a Summer time guy. Summertime takes me back to those innocent and fun days. Playing baseball at Kimball Park, swimming at the National City Plunge. Selling newspapers in Downtown National City (when NC had a downtown). When I got a little older, 3 straight years of football practice during the hot months of August, September and October. Yes.......and going to the beach. Imperial Beach, Coronado, La Jolla, Mission Beach.....it was all good. My early twenties? The Army. Basic training at Ft. Ord in the Summer time. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was a little bit of fun. Camp Roberts? Look out. Now, that is a hot place. No worries. I was a Summer time guy. And sometimes I just enjoy being outside when it is super hot. We go to Palm Desert every Summer or Fall. Usually 100 plus degrees. I love it. Why? Because I'm a Summer time guy. Summer just has a certain charm to it. Why? Because I'm a Summer time guy.

"Belief Is A Wise Wager"

Many years ago I used to quote the following statement regarding faith. I used to discuss it at work with other teachers. It made so much sense to me. But not everyone agreed with it. Not everyone liked it. Some even lambasted it. How odd. Yet not really surprising. Just because a man is educated, does not necessarily mean he will have faith. His education might even get in the way. Nevertheless, the quote below is a point of view. And yes, a good one. A powerful one, but not in the opinion of everyone. Part of what Apostle Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 3:2 says: "Not all men have faith." How true.....but still sad. Nevertheless, we move on.


"Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists." (Blaise Pascal)

Teach Faith

Teach faith. Teach it by being a noble person. Teach it by being kind. Teach faith by being a person of integrity. Teach faith by not arguing about money. Teach faith by not being a cheapskate. Teach faith by being a person who forgives. Teach faith by being a person who helps out. Teach faith by being a person who is loyal. Teach faith by being a person who is willing to volunteer. Teach faith by standing up for that which is fair and just. Teach faith by not being a selfish person. Teach faith by being a type of person who is obviously motivated by something more powerful and good than your own personality. Teach faith!

Socialism And Freedom?

I know it is a stretch. But the following quote may somehow show the comparison between socialism and freedom. The term: "controlled" got my attention. Who will do that, if not the government?

"The human race divides itself politically into those who want to be controlled, and those who have no such desire." (Robert A. Heinlein)

"The Muslims Are Not Happy"

I did not author the following post. It was written by a person called Rysh. I found it online. It seems to be very accurate. I changed nothing. Sad/happy faces, question marks and exclamation points are all intact.


THE MUSLIMS ARE NOT HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!............ :(
They're not happy in Gaza ..They're not happy in Egypt ..
They're not happy in Libya ..They're not happy in Morocco ..
They're not happy in Iran ..They're not happy in Iraq ..
They're not happy in Yemen .. They're not happy in Afghanistan ..
They're not happy in Pakistan ..They're not happy in Syria ..
They're not happy in Lebanon ..They're not happy in Indonesia, Malaysia or Nigeria ..
SO, WHERE ARE THEY HAPPY?????????????????? :) :) :)
They're happy in Australia.They're happy in England.
They're happy in France.They're happy in Italy.
They're happy in Germany.They're happy in Sweden.
They're happy in the USA, Canada
They're happy in Norway, Holland and Denmark
They're HAPPY in EVERY country that is NOT MUSLIM and :)
UNHAPPY in EVERY country that IS ! :(
AND WHO DO THEY BLAME [for their unhappiness]?
NOT Islam. .....NOT their leadership. .....NOT themselves. ..... OH NO …..
THEY BLAME THE COUNTRIES THEY ARE HAPPY IN !: THEN THEY WANT
TO CHANGE THOSE COUNTRIES TO BE LIKE... THE COUNTRIES THEY CAME
FROM WHERE THEY WERE UNHAPPY !
How DAMN DUMB can you get ?? Get A GRIP !!!

Patriotism Or No Patriotism

I wrote the following letter as a response to an article written by GOP-USA last month. The article discussed patriotism and its lack of popularity. "Patriotism or no patriotism, flag salute or no flag salute, National Anthem or no National Anthem. If this country is NOT a great place to live, if it is NOT a great place for opportunities, if it is NOT a great place to practice your freedoms and pursue your dreams…..then why do many people risk their lives to get here? Why do they give their life savings to a stranger, who has promised to bring them here, who may mistreat and/or physically harm them? Why do unescorted children come here? Why have small-statured men and women been found under hoods of cars, and hanging on to a car by way of a chassis? Why do they swim the Rio Grande and Pacific Ocean or take unsafe boats? Why are they willing to hide inside of suitcases and attempt to be cargo on board ships and planes? I’ll tell you why in 5 words: It is a great country! I did not say it is a perfect place. There are no perfect places. And there won’t be any. Not on this planet at least. I have no problem loving this country. I might hate or dislike this country if I had a great deal of bitterness, anger, hatred and jealousy. But those are issues I must deal with myself, and no country in this world can help me with them."

Patrick Henry's Famous Quote

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" (Patrick Henry)

An Unusual Quote By Gandhi

"Good government is the most dangerous government, because it deprives people of the need to look after themselves." (Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi)

Freedom, Choices, Control And Reason

Freedom represents the opportunity to do whatever one wants to do. However, "doing things" causes consequences. Those consequences are not always under our control. In fact, some of those consequences may truly disrupt a person's life, even to the point of seriously damaging one's life. On the other hand, some of our actions may produce very beneficial consequences both to ourselves and to others. We just need the opportunity to make those choices. Government must not take away those opportunities. It is not reasonable to do so. It is not reasonable for government to criminalize actions that are not really crimes. We must continue to be vigilant.

"Gay" Means Happy

Gay means happy. But it seems that this particular meaning is lost forever. The word is basically a misnomer. I do not use the word “gay.” To me, it is a ruined word. They are not “gay,” they are homosexuals. I am fully aware that language goes through transition, but I refuse to use a word that to me, represents a misapplication. I am through with that word. I have been for a long time.