en-us http://www.intensedebate.com/users/272306 Comments by A_L http://radio.foxnews.com/2011/06/07/college-bans-national-anthem/#IDComment162473795 Three cheers for an institution that doesn't automatically force a political stance on its students. Three cheers for education that in reality is encouraging "kids (to) make their decisions on their own as to what their politics are and what they believe.” Expecting students to support national political agendas isn't freedom, it's bondage. Well done, Goshen, well done Mennonites. Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:30:52 +0000 http://radio.foxnews.com/2011/06/07/college-bans-national-anthem/#IDComment162473795 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/05/read-this-may-21-rapture-instructions/#IDComment154724511 Of course, you won't be able to retrieve these comments--since I'm sure there is no internet in heaven, as evil as it is. And, just so you know, I wrote this comment hours ago as well. Thanks for this--even if it just just a teensy-weensy bit twisted. And enjoy hangin' out with Newt and Andy and the rest of the boys. I'll be over to visit soon. Sat, 21 May 2011 21:08:27 +0000 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/05/read-this-may-21-rapture-instructions/#IDComment154724511 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/05/im-on-vacation/#IDComment149022603 After ranting a bit elsewhere about the inappropriateness of 'celebrating' and rejoicing, I started thinking about what it was probably like when Hitler died. Of course, his death wasn't at the hands of his enemies, and they surrendered within the next couple days, so the rejoicing was over more than just the death of this one man. But I find it interesting analyzing my own feelings about the two different deaths. Hitler's death is history to me, something I learned about at school. bin Laden's death is current. Somehow in my mind WWII was a 'good' war, a 'necessary' war, a 'declared' war. Hitler was bringing bondage to people who had otherwise lived in freedom, and the allies were trying to liberate them again. (Of course, that is the story told by the winners.) But I see the 'war on terror' as something instigated more by G W Bush than bin Laden. And because I have that (potentially misinformed) view of the present conflict, I see Mr. Bush at least as guilty as Mr. bin Laden in acting like a terrorist. And I therefore kinda see that in a more universal, global sense, the death of bin Laden is just another demonstration of America's terrorism. I don't know the actual numbers, but it looks like the deaths caused by America and its allies are many times more than those of 9/11. I guess I am trying to process why I might feel different about Hitler than bin Laden. And I haven't yet got that figured out. And the reasons are probably contrived. And maybe people shouldn't have celebrated Hitler's death either. Like most issues, it's bigger than just the present circumstances. I'm not saying my premise is more right than anyone else's, but the prevalent attitude seems to say that 'bin Laden--all bad, America--all good; and I don't think that is the whole story. Thu, 5 May 2011 03:44:45 +0000 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/05/im-on-vacation/#IDComment149022603 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/04/a-clarification-and-reflection-on-my-fundamentalist-history/#IDComment140374742 I think being passionate about something is OK (see Jim's comment above!). But at the same time, I also struggle with trying to be generous in my understanding of other points of view. And I know that is the land I need to move into. Passionately. Somehow I need to fight for the rights of others to hold their opinions that are different than mine (even if I used to hold those same opinions). Wed, 6 Apr 2011 05:36:58 +0000 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/04/a-clarification-and-reflection-on-my-fundamentalist-history/#IDComment140374742 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/03/what-beliefs-will-get-you-fired/#IDComment136110008 At the risk of being a 'Bible thumper' who tosses a verse or two at any situation (whether appropriate or not), here's what Paul says about 'the flesh' and 'the spirit'. He definitely separates things like: love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, (and the rest) from things like: enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions; and it's pretty obvious to me which are operating in this situation. Galatians 5: 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Certainly a church deserves to know how its purposes and philosophies match with its leaders. But disagreements and discussions need to be handled with love, patience, kindness, goodness etc., not with dissensions and divisions. I can only hope in Chad's case that it was an open discussion, filled with love and understanding--but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't. I have a dream that one day the church will act as the true followers of the Christ they say they worship. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:27:50 +0000 http://www.emergingchristian.com/2011/03/what-beliefs-will-get-you-fired/#IDComment136110008 http://solarcrash.com/2009/11/blogging-for-dollars/#IDComment42124378 "First off I don’t blog in order to make money, it’s something I do anyways, much like using toilet paper. " So, you blog as a means of removing the crap that would otherwise be still attached? Eeewww! But perhaps true for some of us. Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:27:59 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/11/blogging-for-dollars/#IDComment42124378 http://guateliving.com/2009/10/a-great-commercial/#IDComment41149987 I like this, cause I tend to enjoy something that gives the presumed leader a run for its money. It only makes sense that something will come along that out iphones the iphone. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:26:07 +0000 http://guateliving.com/2009/10/a-great-commercial/#IDComment41149987 http://solarcrash.com/2009/10/creativity-yet-to-be-seen/#IDComment39333178 That is incredible! It touches on so many levels--the skill, the emotion, the creative genius. Thanks for sharing this! Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:30:41 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/10/creativity-yet-to-be-seen/#IDComment39333178 http://solarcrash.com/2009/10/i-still-havent-found-what-im-looking-for/#IDComment38531200 "You know I believe it But I still haven’t found What I’m looking for" To me, this says we (or at least many of us) are looking for more than something to believe in, a theology that satisfies the mind. People are looking for relationship, for connection. Whether in a deep, eternal, philosophical sense, or on a day-to-day level. And it takes more than theology to accomplish either. I think I am closer to finding what I'm looking for. I see and experience glimpses. Yeah, it includes something to believe in, but it also intensely includes the heart. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:06:03 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/10/i-still-havent-found-what-im-looking-for/#IDComment38531200 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/vision-over-visibility/#IDComment36566007 Thanks, Lon. Excellent insight. Although many people may ultimately see the dream as it is unfolded, that isn't the case at the beginning. It takes the initial dreamer with stardust in his eyes to form those castles out of nothing for the rest of us to catch a glimpse and come on board. "we need you to help us see the invisible." Weewian, good point. The dream may need to ferment and germinate in your spirit before God knows you are ready to let loose. It's such an awesome time when you know God is releasing you to let it out, to start gathering some more support. You go, girl!!! (I just knew I had to say that, but had to check out to see if, indeed, you are female!!) "God is on the move, and that we're simply invited to join Him. " I love that! The helps relieve some of the pressure to perform. The dream is His, He chooses to share it with a few choice people that He knows He can trust. So, when the moment of release comes, you know it is safe to begin to move with God. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:09:47 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/vision-over-visibility/#IDComment36566007 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/to-talk-like-this-and-act-like-that/#IDComment35784817 "Grace just rubs it in further. " And yet it is only grace that bridges that great divide between talk and action, and only grace that manages to close that gap as our words and actions come into closer alignment. Truth is, there is usually a pretty big gap. Be grateful when at least your words are on the right track--your friends (and enemies) will help make sure your actions start to catch up with your words! Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:59:13 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/to-talk-like-this-and-act-like-that/#IDComment35784817 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/my-beautiful-mess-of-a-summer/#IDComment33010324 I think what hurts the most is when a great vision dies, or at least goes dormant for a time. When you know something is right, but it seems that no one else is on the same page. When you know that things must change, because they are not healthy, yet everyone else is quite content to keep heading toward that slow painful death. Lon, I appreciate your heart for creativity, for stirring up new expressions of our faith. I appreciate your heart for the underdog, for justice, for truth. I can't promise you a rose garden, but I can promise you that you aren't alone in your quest for change, for life. I don't know why things don't always work out, why the good guys don't always win. But don't let the dreams die. "The dream never dies Just the dreamer The dream never dies If it's strong The song never dies Just the singer So come on, everybody Sing along" Thu, 3 Sep 2009 15:48:23 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/09/my-beautiful-mess-of-a-summer/#IDComment33010324 http://solarcrash.com/2009/08/i-dont-want-to-need-you/#IDComment32239961 Well put, and I don't have an answer either. I read several bogs of people who are involved in intentional communities--and I like my independence. I have had roommates--and I really like my independence! I like to be involved in community when I feel like it. I think it reflects my somewhat introvertive nature, but that doesn't excuse ignoring someone else's need. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:40:36 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/08/i-dont-want-to-need-you/#IDComment32239961 http://solarcrash.com/2009/08/broken-ii-captive/#IDComment31215698 Your last two posts have been intense. I really don't know what to say, but can't let them go by without commenting. I imagine most of us can see something of ourselves in Broken I--we all have the capacity to do things others find disgusting, repulsive, or shameful. Not only the capacity to do them, but likely the experience, and all that goes with it. It's all very powerful, but the last three lines are particularly poignant: "Could you find it in you to forgive me? To love me? I can’t promise that I’ll stop. Could you hold me close if I came near?" Broken II has it's own pathos, and raises deep questions. "Damn you for bringing forth a soul like mine." I hope you share what has moved you to write something so dark yet incredibly poetic--and (hopefully) very thought-provoking. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:50:05 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2009/08/broken-ii-captive/#IDComment31215698 http://solarcrash.com/2008/12/prop-8-the-musical/#IDComment12079052 Caution: RANT ALERT. Read at your own risk. So, people we probably don't think of as 'family' know that Christians are supposed to be loving. Why haven't we Christians figured that one out yet? I know I am speaking in generalities, but if that's how 'they' see 'us', then we haven't been very successful at following Christ. If theology (living Biblically, etc.) is so important to many Christians, why is it that the theology and Biblical example of loving is ignored, tossed aside, or explained away, while Christian gay-bashing is hailed as high orthodoxy? Thanks for posting this. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 02:40:36 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2008/12/prop-8-the-musical/#IDComment12079052 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/28/seeking-the-good/#IDComment11857169 You said several things that I think are significant: "There are street sales, BBQ’s, and events that I’ve been able to easily be a part of. " "But somehow, I’m on board. " (nice pun, btw!) "I have no idea where this is going" I know Jesus didn't promise us that everything would flow smoothly, BUT I think that when we get in our 'groove' (not even intentionally, but it just comes together), it can be a strong sign that we are where we are supposed to be. When things seem easy to get involved in, it can very definitely be that God is putting our gifts and personality to His good purposes. At the same time, we may "have no idea where this is going", but God does, so He makes sure we get a good start. I think it's a good thing! Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:12:37 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/28/seeking-the-good/#IDComment11857169 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/seven-days-of-sex/#IDComment11797158 Not sure about this Intense Debate thing--it DEMANDS that my name have at least 3 letters. Who does it think it is? BIG BROTHER? MY MOTHER? Oh well, I guess I can submit. IF I HAVE TO!!! Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:24:31 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/seven-days-of-sex/#IDComment11797158 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/seven-days-of-sex/#IDComment11797085 whining vs. whoopie. It's enough to makes us singles jealous!! I think one of the best parts about it is that it gives the media something positive to report about the church (and we know there is more than enough negative stuff they find to report on). Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:10:36 +0000 http://solarcrash.com/2008/11/seven-days-of-sex/#IDComment11797085