Definitions

For all who read this, please take my "survey" (for lack of a better word).

Define the following words as completely as you are able. Post or send your answers to cramerk@gmail.com:

- love
- marriage
- relationship
- commitment
- sexuality

And in advance, thanks for all your help!

I Am

spoken word by Eric Mata... I am; who are you?

A Prayer for Lent

O God, you are near as my heartbeat.
You know my pain.
You know my joy.
I want to open my whole life to you.
Grant me your peace. Amen.

Christian Subculture

You can answer this one or not...why is it Christians feel this urge to produce things that must be labeled as such?? And why is it that these "Christian" things are mostly of sub-par quality?? How can these people even think this would, and I assure you it doesn't, cause "non-Christians" to look into Christianity? If Scripture is the basis for this argument of having "Christian" things, one might use the passage where Jesus urges his followers to be in the world but not of it. However, I don't interpret this same passage that way. The American society and culture can be used to point "non-Christians" to truth (being somewhat obnocious about using labels and quotations...FYI: I HATE labels!! Labeling tends to create an us vs. them phenomena). And for Christians, Jesus is that truth. Randy Woodley emphasizes in his book, Living in Color, that anything that points others to truth is a good thing.

response to Cylest's xanga

In response to Cylest's xanga this morning:

It is disheartening when doctrine overshadows the persona of Jesus Christ and instead of love, the world finds religion. One day, may those claiming to be Christians become a united body of Christ putting aside the differences we have let Satan entangle us in.

Big Brother is a PAIN

I went to look at a friend's blogspot. My computer received this window message:

You are not authorized to view this page. You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
Please try the following:
* Contact the help desk if you believe you should be able to view this directory or page.
* Click the Refresh button to try again with different credentials.

HTTP Error: Unauthorized: Access is denied due to server configuration.
Internet Information Services (IIS)

My first thought was lovely. I only wanted to read my friend's reflections and thoughts. To do so, I'll need to find an off-campus location with free wifi and free speech.

sins of the US

I received this forward a while back. If more Christians were this genuinely honest, how would our world be a better place?
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When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and call it Pluralism.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest…In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.

Just Like Me

Last night, I attended a Soulforce event in the area. We had pizza, hung out, and were able to attend an informational "seminar" entitled In God's Image. It was an enjoyable evening and I had a good time getting to know the different riders. They are a talented group of thinkers, students, writers, and singers.

When I finally returned to my apartment building, there was a sign hanging outside the door and I just had to chuckle. My small school had held their own events pertaining to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual) community. And I continue to chuckle. Because try as they might, my little conservative school only presents this group from one side, their narrow-minded side. And I guess that is their right as a church-affiliated institution, but it does a disservice to students and continues to widen the gap between the church and the LGBT community, which is really a shame.

"ching chong"

More recent than Michael Richard's rant was Rosie O'Donnell's "interpretation" and the consequences of her "comedic" act on The View.

Beau Sia responds to Rosie O'Donnell's "ching chong" comment on The View with "An Open Letter to All the Rosie O'Donnells".