Steve's Journey

ALTERNATIVE SALVATION PLAN DISCOVERED! "Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for." (Proverbs 16:6) This is so much better than having to kill an animal, or even the innocent Son of God. It's in the Bible, right? So, doesn't it have to be true? Am I picking and choosing which verses I like? Maybe. But, let me be clear. I am choosing based upon rational thought and understanding. I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me in that. Am I rejecting verses that don't make sense? No. I'm merely holding them up in question, in the hope that one day they will make sense. By not choosing the obscure verses, am I rejecting Christ? Absolutely not. I am open to His leading. I am not prepared to accept any teaching that doesn't make sense. Perhaps that is based upon my sinful condition, because of my lack of "faith," but I don't think so. Again, I have asked God to show me the way. I honestly don't think that I will get the vacation to Hell prize for wrong answers. Discipline? Yes. Hell? No, at least not the burning torture for ever and ever thing, with no hope.

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Here's a pet peeve. I like to read books from the new book section at the library, both fiction and non-fiction. I would say that only 10% of the books are free of grammatical errors. Don't they pay people to edit these things? If they can't get qualified staff, why don't they contract it out to someone --- like me? I could do what I love and get paid for it. I never cared much for English studies in school, but somehow it stuck with me. Maybe I'll contact some publishers and offer my services.

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I just heard a local talk radio host ask a listener, "If you meet someone who is not a Christian, don't you still consider them a brother or sister?" The man replied, "Not in a spiritual sense." Say what? Then how do you consider them? Were they created by God? Of course. Does He love them? He says so. Hate the sin, love the sinner, my fundy Christian friends would say. Love the sinner, but don't bring them close unless they undergo a spiritual change. Is that it? No can do. They will ALWAYS be my brother and sister.

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Lord, help me to understand the truth, even if it's not what I'm currently advocating. Above all, spur me on to love, no matter what the spiritual persuasion of my neighbor.

Amen