It has been another hot day in Blue Ridge, Ga. I have bought this new computer with the hopes that it will help me to get back into writing more. I used to write poems, songs, started several novels have yet to finish, online articles for money as well as numerous blog entries. I fear that I have lost my desire for writing and my limited writing skills. Maybe if I start jounaling it will return.
I have been lazy today and spent a good portion watching TV and reading Dracula on my Kindle Fire. I feel guilty for not doing anything fun with my kids, but I feel almost as if I am paralyzed due to uncertanity about what I should do. So not knowing what to do, I do nothing, which makes me feel like I have wasted another Saturday in my life and my kids life too. However, I did finally get out this evening to go to town to see the fireworks and then my SUV broke down at the McDonalds drive-thru in Blue Ridge, Ga, so much for watching bright,colorful explosians in the sky. Had to have SUV towed to shop and have my dad pick up me and the kids and bring us home.
So I sit now in my man-cave writing this entry on my blog, still not knowing what to write. I pray that inspiration and guidance will come soon. May God have mercy on my soul, as in my idle time gives me too much time to think lewd improper and sometimes insane thoughts, sometimes I find myself verbalizing these thoughts to myself when no one else is around to hear. So I now wait, wait for that moment of inspiration, that tingling of desire in the heart that makes one write that which moves his own heart and perhaps the hearts of others as well.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
“Jesus Didn’t Condemn Homosexuality”
“Jesus Didn’t Condemn Homosexuality”
by Kyle Butt, M.A.
By and large, the American culture is aggressively promoting the sinful lifestyle of homosexuality. In the midst of such pressure, many people who call themselves Christians are caving in and accepting this perverted lifestyle in spite of God’s clear teachings against it (Butt, 2003). Just recently, the country singer Carrie Underwood stated that her Christian faith lead her to support gay marriage (Nilles, 2012). In truth, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ could never be accurately understood to lead a person to conclude that homosexual marriage is moral (Miller and Harrub, 2004).
One of the most common arguments made in support of homosexuality is that Jesus Christ did not explicitly condemn the practice. Supposedly, since Jesus never stated specifically: “Homosexuality is a sin,” then His failure to denounce the lifestyle can be interpreted to mean that He approved of it. This reasoning is riddled with error.
First, Jesus explained to His followers that He did not have time to teach them everything they needed to know. He told them that the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance all that He had taught, and would include additional teaching that He had not had time to cover. He told His disciples: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12-13). When we look to the inspired writings of the New Testament, we see the authors boldly and specifically condemning the practice based on the revelation they received from the Holy Spirit (Miller and Harrub, 2004). Thus, it is wrong to suggest that only the “words in red” are Jesus’ teachings. On the contrary, He foretold that more teaching would be done after His return to heaven due to the fact that the apostles “could not bear” all of it at the time.
Second, even if Jesus did not explicitly condemn the practice (though He actually did, as will be noted later), that certainly could not be used as evidence that He condoned the practice. For instance, where does Jesus explicitly state that bestiality is wrong? Where in the New Testament does Jesus state that polygamy is wrong? Where are the “words in red” that specifically condemn pedophilia? Are we to suppose that the Son of God condoned using crystal meth because there is not an explicit statement from Jesus’ mouth that says “do not smoke crystal meth?” The idea that silence from Jesus on a subject means He approved of or condoned the practice cannot be substantiated.
Finally, it must be considered that Jesus did, in fact, speak against homosexuality. On numerous occasions, Jesus condemned the sins of adultery (Matthew 19:18), sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9) and fornication (Matthew 15:19). These terms describe any type of sexual intercourse that is not within the confines of a marriage ordained by God. Jesus then proceeded to define exactly what God views as a morally permissible marriage. He stated:
Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate (Matthew 19:4-6).
By defining marriage as between one male and one female, Jesus effectively condemned all other arrangements, including but not limited to one man and two women, one woman and two men, three men and one woman, three men and three women, one man and one man, one woman and one animal, etc. You can see the overwhelming logic of such. For Jesus to have to explicitly condemn every assortment of genders and numbers would be absurd. When He defined marriage between one man and one woman, He clearly showed that such an arrangement is the only one authorized by God.
Several years ago a man named Cory Moore “legally married his 2004 Cherry ES-335” Gibson guitar (“Man Marries Guitar,” 2007). He said: “The day I got her, I just knew she was the one…. I know it seems weird, but I really love her—like, really love her, with all my heart. I just wanted to make it official” (2007). Are we to conclude that because Jesus never specifically condemned a man marrying his guitar then the Son of God approved of such? To ask is to answer. In 2006, 41-year-old Sharon Tendler married a dolphin (“Woman Marries Dolphin,” 2006). Jesus never said one word explicitly about refraining from marrying a dolphin. Does that mean His “silence” should be viewed as approval? Not in any way.
Homosexuality is a sin. It always has been, and it always will be. The inspired New Testament writers repeatedly teach that to be the case. Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would bring to the inspired writers information that they could not handle at the time of His departing. In addition, Jesus did explicitly define marriage as being between one man and one woman. The ruse to suggest that Jesus approves of homosexuality because He never expressly condemned it cannot be sustained logically, nor can it be defended on any type of moral grounds. The person who presumes to claim to be a Christian, and yet supports homosexuality, misunderstands the teachings of Christ and needs to repent and stop approving of a perverted, destructive practice that Jesus condemns (Matthew 19:1-9).
REFERENCES
Butt, Kyle (2003), “Homosexuality—Sin, or Cultural Bad Habit?” Apologetics Press, http://www.blogger.com/goog_43149211
“Man Marries Guitar” (2007), http://www.messandnoise.com/discussions/865688.
Miller, Dave and Brad Harrub (2004), “An Investigation of the Biblical Evidence Against Homosexuality,” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=557.
Nilles, Billy (2012), “Carrie Underwood Reveals She Supports Gay Marriage,” http://www.blogger.com/goog_43149208
“Woman Marries Dolphin” (2006), http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/woman-marries-dolphin/2006/01/01/1136050339590.html.
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July 4th events feature parades, fireworks galore in Canton Ga
July 4th events feature parades, fireworks galore: Cherokee County residents will have plenty of events to choose from this Fourth of July, with several fireworks, parades and festivals taking place across the county.
Looks like there will be plenty of festivities for the Fourth of July in Canton, Georgia. If they are where they usually are, you can see them good at the Cracker Barrel located on Transit Avenue off of exit 20.
Looks like there will be plenty of festivities for the Fourth of July in Canton, Georgia. If they are where they usually are, you can see them good at the Cracker Barrel located on Transit Avenue off of exit 20.
Dracula, Obamacare, Fireworks and new Laptop
We are living in crazy, perilous times. Like for instance, I have been reading this Dracula novel, the original Bram Stoker novel. I really like the book and feel it is a very well written book, so I thought I would like to see one of the movies. I chose one of the more recent Dracula movies that had Wynona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins in it, I really like Hopkins. The movie follows the book and even has lines right from the book, which is cool but there were some things added that detracted from the story. Some of the added parts were crude with implied sex and sensuality, which did not make the movie any better but took away from the literary work. Additionally, some details of the book that I was looking forward to seeing acted out on the screen were left out. This strengthens my belief that as a society we are not progressing but regressing, morally and also artisticlly. With all of our technology and talent, we take a literary classic and cheapen it with nudity and implied sex. Bram Stokers book is a great work of art, this movie is not, do not watch this movie.
Meanwhile, while I am engrossed in undead characters of yesteryear, our great country is all a stir from the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Obamacare. I know the price of healthcare is out of hand but I am not sure if Obama's healthcare bill is the answer. I do not like the idea of Uncle Sam telling me I have to purchase something. I wish I was better educated about what is in the healthcare bill, but I am not, however I fear that Obama's healthcare bill is not a step in the right direction, but I may be wrong. Some provisions in the bill such as cavering pre-existing provisions and letting children stay on parents plan until they are 26 seem beneficial, but the individual mandate sends shivers down my spine.
While fireworks going off in the republican party over the Supreme Court's decision on Obamacare, I am debating about goint to the fireworks at the Blue Ridge Marina tommorrow night. There will be a crowd of people and I do not know if I feel like fighting the crowd.
Finally, I bought me a new refurbished Dell laptop from the Walmart internet site. I had to give $288 plus tax for the little gem and I am breakung it in tonight on this long, rambling blog post. I have had it since Tuesday night and so far I like it.
Anyways, everybody have a safe and happy Fourth of July and remember that Jesus is the answer.
Meanwhile, while I am engrossed in undead characters of yesteryear, our great country is all a stir from the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Obamacare. I know the price of healthcare is out of hand but I am not sure if Obama's healthcare bill is the answer. I do not like the idea of Uncle Sam telling me I have to purchase something. I wish I was better educated about what is in the healthcare bill, but I am not, however I fear that Obama's healthcare bill is not a step in the right direction, but I may be wrong. Some provisions in the bill such as cavering pre-existing provisions and letting children stay on parents plan until they are 26 seem beneficial, but the individual mandate sends shivers down my spine.
While fireworks going off in the republican party over the Supreme Court's decision on Obamacare, I am debating about goint to the fireworks at the Blue Ridge Marina tommorrow night. There will be a crowd of people and I do not know if I feel like fighting the crowd.
Finally, I bought me a new refurbished Dell laptop from the Walmart internet site. I had to give $288 plus tax for the little gem and I am breakung it in tonight on this long, rambling blog post. I have had it since Tuesday night and so far I like it.
Anyways, everybody have a safe and happy Fourth of July and remember that Jesus is the answer.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Blue Ridge Lake Dam Road Open for July 4th Holiday
According to The News Observer, Fannin County's leading local newspaper, the road that goes across Blue Ridge Dam will be open for the July 4th holiday. Whether or not lake levels rise substantially before the winter draw down remains to be seen. However, motorists will be able to cross the dam via Old Hwy 76 during the Fourth of July holiday and also after the holiday barring any unforeseen problem that should arise with the dam.
In related Blue Ridge news, the annual Fourth of July fire works at the Blue Ridge Marina will take place on Saturday Night, June 30.
In related Blue Ridge news, the annual Fourth of July fire works at the Blue Ridge Marina will take place on Saturday Night, June 30.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Warning: Yellow Jackets af Deep Hole Rec Area on Toccoa River in Fannin County
A friendly word of warning to those planning on fishing at the Deep Hole Recreation Area in Fannin County, beware of yellow jackets. I was fishing below the observation deck that overlooks the river and got stung above my left eye. It appears that the yellow jackets have built their nests in the wood cross ties underneath the deck, I say nests because after I was stung I noticed yellow jackets in different places in the wood under skirting.
The Deep Hole Recreation Area is located on Hwy 60 past the National Fish Hatchery Road. I have been told that the Hole is stocked regularly with trout, however, I failed to even get a nibble. I did happen to see a few big fish swim by in front of me but they did not offer to bite the bait I had in the water. The fish may have fed earlier or I may have had the wrong bait. So, if you decide to do some fishing at the Deep Hole, beware of the yellow jackets, my eye is still hurting even as I type
The Deep Hole Recreation Area is located on Hwy 60 past the National Fish Hatchery Road. I have been told that the Hole is stocked regularly with trout, however, I failed to even get a nibble. I did happen to see a few big fish swim by in front of me but they did not offer to bite the bait I had in the water. The fish may have fed earlier or I may have had the wrong bait. So, if you decide to do some fishing at the Deep Hole, beware of the yellow jackets, my eye is still hurting even as I type
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Obstacle in my Path
Huge, massive, it stood before me
Blocking my path
How bad did I desire to reach her beckoning arms? Those arms I had longed to hold me in their tender embrace, she who I longed to hold in my arms.
How bad did I want it? To go forward could be fatal, however, to turn back would be a slow tortuous death as the memory of the choice I made to turn back haunts every waking moment of my remaining pilgrimage on the earth.
The demon growled, his red eyes blazed as he cried out, " you who love death come forward, your tomb now waits, come now and seal your fate."
Heart beats faster, palms moisten with sweat as I ponder the choice I must make. I then hear her voice, she calls out my name. She tells me, " I am waiting for you, come now and drink of my joys, joys that you have traveled so many miles to claim. Come and take the life that belongs to you, it is yours for the taking."
That voice arouses a vision of why I began the quest, a beauty that was meant for me alone. I made my choice, sword sang out as it emerged from the scabbard as my resolve propelled me forward into the only logical choice I could make.
Blocking my path
How bad did I desire to reach her beckoning arms? Those arms I had longed to hold me in their tender embrace, she who I longed to hold in my arms.
How bad did I want it? To go forward could be fatal, however, to turn back would be a slow tortuous death as the memory of the choice I made to turn back haunts every waking moment of my remaining pilgrimage on the earth.
The demon growled, his red eyes blazed as he cried out, " you who love death come forward, your tomb now waits, come now and seal your fate."
Heart beats faster, palms moisten with sweat as I ponder the choice I must make. I then hear her voice, she calls out my name. She tells me, " I am waiting for you, come now and drink of my joys, joys that you have traveled so many miles to claim. Come and take the life that belongs to you, it is yours for the taking."
That voice arouses a vision of why I began the quest, a beauty that was meant for me alone. I made my choice, sword sang out as it emerged from the scabbard as my resolve propelled me forward into the only logical choice I could make.
Obstacle in my Path
Huge, massive, it stood before me
Blocking my path
How bad did I desire to reach her beckoning arms? Those arms I had longed to hold me in their tender embrace, she who I longed to hold in my arms.
How bad did I want it? To go forward could be fatal, however, to turn back would be a slow tortuous death as the memory of the choice I made to go back haunts every waking moment of my remaining pilgrimage on the earth.
The demon growled, his red eyes blazed as he cried out, " you who love death come forward, your tomb now waits, come now and seal your fate."
Heart beats faster, palms moisten with sweat as I ponder the choice I must make. I then hear her voice, she calls out my name. She tells me, " I am waiting for you, come now and drink of my joys, joys that you have traveled many miles to claim. Come and take the life that belongs to you, it is yours for the taking."
That voice arouses a vision of why I began the quest, a beauty that was meant for me alone. I made my choice, sword sang out as it emerged from the scabbard as my resolve propelled me forward into the only logical choice I could make.
Blocking my path
How bad did I desire to reach her beckoning arms? Those arms I had longed to hold me in their tender embrace, she who I longed to hold in my arms.
How bad did I want it? To go forward could be fatal, however, to turn back would be a slow tortuous death as the memory of the choice I made to go back haunts every waking moment of my remaining pilgrimage on the earth.
The demon growled, his red eyes blazed as he cried out, " you who love death come forward, your tomb now waits, come now and seal your fate."
Heart beats faster, palms moisten with sweat as I ponder the choice I must make. I then hear her voice, she calls out my name. She tells me, " I am waiting for you, come now and drink of my joys, joys that you have traveled many miles to claim. Come and take the life that belongs to you, it is yours for the taking."
That voice arouses a vision of why I began the quest, a beauty that was meant for me alone. I made my choice, sword sang out as it emerged from the scabbard as my resolve propelled me forward into the only logical choice I could make.
Trails to Walk Near Blue Ridge, Ga
There are several hiking trails to explore near Blue Ridge, Georgia, one of my favorites is the hike to Long Creek Falls in the Noontootla area. The hike to Long Creek Falls is a gradual incline that follows a pristine stream, which is the host of the falls. For those who do not mind going off trail there are other falls you encounter before you reach Long Creek Falls that are equally impressive but are not as accessible as Long Creek Falls. The tall, ancient trees along the trail are majestic and make this beautiful hike enjoyable as you trudge the slight incline to the falls.
To reach Long Creek Falls from Blue Ridge, Ga, take Old 76 to the east end of town to Aska Road. Turn right on to Aska and follow Aska till it deadends into Newport RD, go right until Newport deadened, then go left. Go until you come to a Church and then take next road on right past the church. Look for the pull-off for the trail after you travel 3 to 5 miles on this road. Happy hiking.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Spiderman Poster
Attention Spiderman Marvel Comic Book fans, check out this deal from All posters an Spiderman posters. Posters of the web weaving Marvel Comic Book superhero are available on the web. Take 20% off @ All Posters valid till 06/04/2012. Take 15% all orders valid till 06/30/2012. If you are an avid Spiderman fan, check out the deals on the Spiderman posters at the All Posters website.
Spider-Man Marvel Vintage posters at AllPosters.com
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