You better recognize

I can't help myself, but when something good happens to me, I want to thank God. And of course likewise when something bad happens to me I want to call upon the Lord for help. We live in a world where there are many times in our lives we need some help. But I'm thankful for the many times things work out for us and we are also able to give thanks. Today was one of those days I was thankful. I dodged a couple of bullets and was able to get a lot of work done. (And yes... make a little money).

As I was driving home I said a small prayer of thanks. It got me thinking....

Maybe just once in a blue moon and in a moment of weakness do you guys ever find yourself wanting to thank God or ask Him for help?

late, feeno

I hope my hand ain't in the cookie jar

Here's a question that Christians and Atheists can both answer. I guess it's hypothetical for the Atheist though? But assuming that there is a God and he does come back during your life time; What would you like to be doing at the exact time he does comes back?


Peace, feeno

A black guy and a blonde walk into a bar...

Let's do our first poll. Unofficial and non scientific. With a margin of error of 100. But I'm really interested in your responses. A couple critiques against Christianity is that it holds "sexist" and "racist" views.

I don't really want to have a debate on what I believe the Bible teaches about these issues. Although something tells me I might have too? But if you guys can at least just bite your tongues long enough to first answer our poll question I'd be grateful.

Here goes: Think about the closest person in your life who is a Christian. It could be your Mom, Dad, spouse, friend, sibling, room-mate, cousin, neighbor, co-worker or just a casual acquaintance you rarely see?

Is that person sexist?
Is that person racist?

Pizzle my frizzle's, feeno

And down the stretch they come...

Maybe a couple times a year me and the wife will go to the Horse Track. It's a great time, it's exciting, and it's a great place to people watch. But I've never had much luck at actually winning any money there. But if I was an Atheist I'd be living at the track or out buying lottery tickets. And with their luck I'd only have to buy one to win.

They live in a Universe where somehow something came from nothing. Where non living things can produce living things.

They live in a world where the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and the Galaxies are all the precise size in conjunction with one another to maintain life. Also the distances between them all are also perfect for life to continue for all living organisms, plants, animals and people.

There lucky enough to be traveling around the Sun at 67,000 mph while we are spinning at over 1,000 mph and wobbling at a perfect 23.5 degrees. Cause if any of these were off just a few percentages we'd be flying off into space somewhere. Either burning up or freezing to death.

Those fortunate rascals also ended up on a planet with the precise amount of water, the right type of atmosphere mixture of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon and Carbon Dioxide.

If that ain't enough them suckers have an O-Zone layer protecting them from ultra-violet rays. And an ideal magnetic field also protecting them from deadly rays bearing down from the Sun.

Peace and 75 SPF, feeno

Hocus Pocus

The Bible wasn't written to trick anybody. It simply just recorded events as they happened. You guys (some Atheists) want to discredit the Bible because you think it was written by mere men. And they must have some hidden agenda to fool you into this religion to control you. So I guess you think 40 different writers over a 1500 year period of time conspired to achieve this great con. The problem is that your reading it wrong. Men may have actually wrote down what was happening but it was God who inspired their writings.

The Bibles theme From Genesis to Revelations has never changed. First we are to love and serve God and second since Genesis chap 3 God has been trying to reconcile a fallen, sinful, lost man back to Himself. That's it. Where's this giant conspiracy in that and what good has it done for Moses, King David, Isaiah, Jeremiah or the New Testament writers?

When you read the Bible read it as if it was really God trying to talk to you. Read it like it might just be the most important book ever. People say they can't hear God talking to them? I don't usually either, unless I'm reading or studying His word. Are His words important? Quick story from John chapter 6....

Jesus is laying down some hard sayings as He speaks in the Synagogue. And as a result of this many of His followers withdrew from Him. Then Jesus says to the "twelve" "Do you guys want to leave me too"? Listen carefully to my boy Peter's reply. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Abbra Cadabbra I will disa..

Don't worry... be happy

The difference between an Atheist and a Christian could be summed up in 6 words spoken by Christ. Jesus began His public ministry as He preached the "Sermon on the Mount". The sermon starts out with the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5) The Beatitudes start out with Jesus saying this "Blessed are the poor in spirit".

Definition for "poor in spirit" = Those who realize they need the Lord.
Definition for "blessed" = happy.

So now our quote by Jesus could say this "happy are those who realize they need me".

Does this mean the Atheist can't be happy? Of course not, but an Atheists happiness depends on circumstances. A Christian should follow Christ's lead. Was Jesus happy?

Someone once asked Billy Graham that question, here was his reply "If by happiness we mean serenity, confidence, contentment, peace, joy and soul satisfaction then Jesus was supremely happy.

When we realize God is control our priorities will change and then our happiness wont be dependent on circumstances or things.

Later, feeno

God bye

I was thinking of a way to try to make peace amongst us when I remembered this excerpt from a church bulletin. "The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict".

I thought that was funny, so I looked up a few more "church bulletin bloopers" that we all can laugh at. The last ones I saved just for you Atheists.

Due to the Pastors illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.

Low self-esteem Support group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm at the 1st Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

Don't let worry kill you-let the church help.

and finally

The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

Later... Oh wait, I just found out today that the term "Good bye" is derived from "God be with you". Go figure.
Good bye, feeno

South Korea is crawling with Christians

I have a couple books written by Mr. Loftus. He was cool enough to sign one of them for me. And actually gave me another book titled "Why I Became an Atheist: Personal reflections and additional arguments"

I have read this book a few times but have read some chapters even more. I am not going to critique this book. In fact if I was a critic I'd say it was well written and informative. Now having said that I would like to ask you all a question about several positions mentioned in the book and or on "debunking Christianity".

I will list several reasons why he (John) became an Atheist.
#1. Prayer doesn't work.
#2. Christians aren't any better than non-believers.
#3. The fact that Christians are afraid not to believe.
#4. The fact that where you are born determines what religion you will be.
#5. No miracles.
#6. Because how do we know which religion is right?

So here's my question or maybe it's just a statement; all this tells me is this: If God answered just one prayer or if there is just one Christian who truly lived like Christ or just one person that believed in Jesus when fear played no part or one dude born in India was to become a believer or God performed just one miracle and one religion (Christianity) is right, then that would only prove that Christ is real.

Atheists tend to focus on everything but themselves and God. They would rather talk about things like social injustices and switch the attention to those issues, or just put God on trial. It might make Atheists feel better about themselves that they are against witch hunts, slavery or things like the crusades. But again if you are gonna use this reasoning then we'd only have to find one Christian during these incidents that was against these things based upon his/her faith to make the argument invalid.

His reasons tho truthful, at best could only prove there aren't as many Christians out there that claim to be.

Later, feeno

Go get my belt!

I leave you guys to yourself for a couple days and when I get back the house is a mess. Wait till your father gets home.

As I was reading those comments I kept asking myself; isn't there anything we can agree on? Let's start a list of all the things that Believers and Atheists can at least agree on. I'll go first... hmm, the only one I can think of is that neither side wants to claim Hitler.

What you got?

Thanks, feeno

Damn it's hot down here, can I get some electrolytes?

I have a friend, he and his wife are Atheists. He once told me because of the fact that I believe in Heaven and Hell that that makes me judgmental and a hater.

Then I ran across Cipher's blog. I believe he frequents "Debunking Christianity". His "about me" thingy has this to say: "the doctrine of salvific exclusivism is the vilest belief ever concocted in the history of our civilization. Some of my earliest memories are of televangelists threatening me with eternal damnation for not believing something that I seem to be inherently incapable of believing. I reject absolutely the notion that someone can be willing to abandon for all of eternity billions of his or her fellow human beings, yet somehow still be considered a good person".

Before I ask my question I'd like to first make a few points. #1. I never understood why Christianity is considered "exclusive". Anyone can become a Christian. Young, old, black, white, Jew, Gentile, male, female, disabled, able body, handsome, pretty ugly, butt ugly, small sinner or great sinner. It just doesn't matter, all are welcomed. #2. Who says were "good"? #3. I can "reject" the idea that my mechanic billed me $500.00 to fix my brakes. Just cause I don't like the idea of highway robbery doesn't change the fact that I owe him $500.00. And #4. If Hell is real, and you know we Christians at least think it is, (that's why you call us delusional) shouldn't we warn you that it's a bad place? Wouldn't it be mean not to tell you?

Also like many other Believers I don't like the idea of Hell either. I don't bring it up often. Mainly because I believe God will do what is right. Wherever and or however we end up will be deserved.

But here's my main concern. I really don't want to be offensive toward anyone or have anyone think I hate them. But I can't understand why everything about Christianity is a joke except the idea of Hell. You don't believe in God or the Devil. Angels or Demons. If I ask "why don't you believe in God" you'll answer "same reason we don't believe in tooth fairies, unicorns, leprechauns or magic fairy dust. So if you don't believe in Heaven or Hell, why is this so offensive?

Thanks for reading, feeno

shit happens

I'm watching a drunk guy getting booked on a TV show. It's like COPS but it's called "Jail" or something like that. This poor guy was fighting and screaming at the Police so hard, they finally had to restrain him in a chair made with feet and hand restraints. The Cops asked what his problem was, his answer was that his daughter was in a wheel chair and that wasn't fair. Then at the top of his lungs he said "I curse you God for making my little girl be in a wheel chair". (or something close to that).

You know what? I respect that guy. And I respect his choice to curse God. It's his daughter and his circumstance and so he has the right to deal with it however he decides. It's between him and God.

I also have very close friends who have a daughter who will be in a wheel chair her whole life. She is a very sweet little 12 yr old girl with Spina-bifada. Her parents have dealt with it very well, but no where near as good as Elizabeth does. And again I respect Elizabeth and her parents decision to make sense out of it all. But in this case they haven't cursed God, and at least to the outside world have no complaints. Who knows, maybe one day Elizabeth and or her parents might get mad at God about this and curse Him? But again that is between them and God.

Here's why I bring this up? Why do people feel like they have the right to be mad at God for other peoples afflictions? Especially if the people who are going through it have made peace with their situation and God. When "Katrina" hit Louisiana some cursed God and some were thankful. When the Tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia same thing, some were mad and some were grateful. There are people starving to death right now, who are giving thanks to God.

So if you want to be mad at God because some or even many people are hurting about their circumstances, then you should be thankful to God as well when people are grateful during their trying circumstances.

I know most of you don't believe in God, but if there is God, can't you see how silly you'd look trying to justify yourself before Him. By complaining how mean and sadistic he is when people who starved to death or spent their life in a wheel chair never once thought God was cruel?

The Bible teaches us that we all must work out our own salvation. It's your life, and if you want to curse God go ahead. I will respect that. But cursing God because we live in a fallen and sinful world is a cop out.

Late, feeno

I gotta take Dad to the pharmacy, I'll call ya later

I don't want this to be an opportunity for anyone to confess any gory details about your past. Please keep them in your closet or go tell a Priest. But I've done a few things that have bothered me from time to time. Although they happened years and years ago I still feel guilty. There was this one thing I did which you will never hear about... well, not over the internet. But if we ever get the chance to break bread with one another, remind me and I just might tell you? But is guilt and God connected?

What is guilt? Can guilt be a good thing? I'm not gonna paint a pretty picture of myself with what I'm about to say, but here goes. I love my parents very much. But I'm pretty sure it's guilt that drives me to pick up the phone and call them, go over to their house a couple times a month with the family or help them out with chores they are getting to old to do. I might even feel guilty if they read this? But that is highly unlikely considering they have to call my daughters up or other gran' kids any time they want to figure out how to put a DVD in or how to use their cell phones. So finding my blog on the computer is a bit of a stretch.

But why do you feel guilt? Those of you who visit my blog are generally very nice and consciences people. So it's very likely you'd feel at least a little guilty if you hurt someone. Either physically or emotionally. So how do we explain why we feel guilty sometimes because of things we've done that aren't even hurting anybody?

Could it be we feel guilty toward God over our "sins"?

Later, feeno