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“It’s about love. That’s it.”
Apr 22, 2021 17:01:54   #
rumitoid
 
(We are all flawed human beings and although I do not necessarily agree that there are Christian Principles, what Paul says about treating others, mostly with respect, should be our guide when discussing beliefs. My experience here with fellow Christians has been a horror show. The attacks were vicious and often personal, especially by two members here. And they never took the opportunity to share their truth.

(As brothers and sisters in Christ, our duty is to both rebuke and encourage each other. The rebuke should not be cruel or debasing. Gentleness, kindness, care, decency and love is the order of the day. I personally believe all the Word is about love, our beliefs often get in the way and have fall short. If we are undecided about how to treat gays, the divorced and remarried, bankers, and so forth, Love can never be a mistake. Just love.

(In the article below is the life of a man that I feel was a true Christian. The article will be somewhat abridged but you can read all of it at https://www.yahoo.com/news/dad-thought-christianity-love-tolerance-143628461.html)

He was a former Southern Baptist turned Holy Roller. He spoke in tongues, laid hands on the sick and prophesied whenever the Spirit moved him. He’d stop to get gas and, while he was there, lead the station’s attendant in the sinner’s prayer.

Spiritually speaking, he was a wild man, and sometimes he embarrassed me.

But he was defined by two virtues: humility and love.

He thought that no matter how strongly he believed something, he was just a flawed human being, rescued by God’s grace, and thus subject to being wrong-headed. He taught me to keep that in mind about myself, too, which I try to do.

His humility manifested itself as tolerance. And curiosity.

In our small town, he was a leader in the local ecumenical movement. For years, his best clergy friend was the town’s Episcopal priest. Dad preached in black churches and had black ministers preach in ours.

He led a monthly Bible study for a convent of Catholic nuns. He accepted gay people before there was even a gay rights movement, in the mid-1960s. When he saw Mormon missionaries out trudging down the street on a rainy day, he’d stop, tell them to hop in his car and drive them on their rounds.

He believed what he believed, but he also wanted to know what everybody else believed and why they believed it.

“Mmm, that’s interesting,” he’d say—and meant it.

He treated people humanely because he genuinely cared. Whether or not he agreed with them. Whether or not they looked like him. Whether or not they cared for him.

Every Christmas he’d give away 100 shiny bicycles to parents who might not otherwise have presents for their children. He rarely met a transient he didn’t slip a few dollars or help find a place to sleep. He visited the sick in hospitals. He visited prisoners in jails. The immigrants who worked in the Chinese restaurant called him “Papa” and considered him family. When strangers died without clergy, he preached their funerals regardless of their faith or creed.

He delivered his last sermon when he was 80, and titled it something along the lines of, “What I’ve Learned in 60 Years of Ministry.”

It was short and sweet.

“The whole gospel can be summed up in one word,” I recall Dad telling us that Sunday. “It’s about love. That’s it.”

He didn’t just talk that talk. He walked that walk.

Gee, I miss him. His being here wouldn’t reverse the downward trend in U.S. church membership. But it might serve as an antidote to some of the grandiosity and bile circulating these days.

He drew folks to God instead of running them off. The face of his Christ bore a smile for everyone. Dad taught me it’s hard for people to resist the power of love, and Christians’ job is to help them see God’s love at work.

Reply
Apr 22, 2021 17:29:10   #
Roamin' Catholic Loc: luxurious exile
 
Amen Rumi! 🙏

Reply
Apr 22, 2021 19:02:04   #
Rose42
 
Try posting articles without your usual "I'm a victim" and try and refrain from being dishonest - as you were again right from the get go.

Do you believe this article? If so, then why do you continually demean and insult your neighbor?

Reply
 
 
Apr 22, 2021 20:27:27   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
rumitoid wrote:
(We are all flawed human beings and although I do not necessarily agree that there are Christian Principles, what Paul says about treating others, mostly with respect, should be our guide when discussing beliefs. My experience here with fellow Christians has been a horror show. The attacks were vicious and often personal, especially by two members here. And they never took the opportunity to share their truth.

(As brothers and sisters in Christ, our duty is to both rebuke and encourage each other. The rebuke should not be cruel or debasing. Gentleness, kindness, care, decency and love is the order of the day. I personally believe all the Word is about love, our beliefs often get in the way and have fall short. If we are undecided about how to treat gays, the divorced and remarried, bankers, and so forth, Love can never be a mistake. Just love.

(In the article below is the life of a man that I feel was a true Christian. The article will be somewhat abridged but you can read all of it at https://www.yahoo.com/news/dad-thought-christianity-love-tolerance-143628461.html)

He was a former Southern Baptist turned Holy Roller. He spoke in tongues, laid hands on the sick and prophesied whenever the Spirit moved him. He’d stop to get gas and, while he was there, lead the station’s attendant in the sinner’s prayer.

Spiritually speaking, he was a wild man, and sometimes he embarrassed me.

But he was defined by two virtues: humility and love.

He thought that no matter how strongly he believed something, he was just a flawed human being, rescued by God’s grace, and thus subject to being wrong-headed. He taught me to keep that in mind about myself, too, which I try to do.

His humility manifested itself as tolerance. And curiosity.

In our small town, he was a leader in the local ecumenical movement. For years, his best clergy friend was the town’s Episcopal priest. Dad preached in black churches and had black ministers preach in ours.

He led a monthly Bible study for a convent of Catholic nuns. He accepted gay people before there was even a gay rights movement, in the mid-1960s. When he saw Mormon missionaries out trudging down the street on a rainy day, he’d stop, tell them to hop in his car and drive them on their rounds.

He believed what he believed, but he also wanted to know what everybody else believed and why they believed it.

“Mmm, that’s interesting,” he’d say—and meant it.

He treated people humanely because he genuinely cared. Whether or not he agreed with them. Whether or not they looked like him. Whether or not they cared for him.

Every Christmas he’d give away 100 shiny bicycles to parents who might not otherwise have presents for their children. He rarely met a transient he didn’t slip a few dollars or help find a place to sleep. He visited the sick in hospitals. He visited prisoners in jails. The immigrants who worked in the Chinese restaurant called him “Papa” and considered him family. When strangers died without clergy, he preached their funerals regardless of their faith or creed.

He delivered his last sermon when he was 80, and titled it something along the lines of, “What I’ve Learned in 60 Years of Ministry.”

It was short and sweet.

“The whole gospel can be summed up in one word,” I recall Dad telling us that Sunday. “It’s about love. That’s it.”

He didn’t just talk that talk. He walked that walk.

Gee, I miss him. His being here wouldn’t reverse the downward trend in U.S. church membership. But it might serve as an antidote to some of the grandiosity and bile circulating these days.

He drew folks to God instead of running them off. The face of his Christ bore a smile for everyone. Dad taught me it’s hard for people to resist the power of love, and Christians’ job is to help them see God’s love at work.
(We are all flawed human beings and although I do ... (show quote)


“I would love to say the people who still believe the election was stolen are dim-witted, mentally deficient, delusional or of some malicious intent, yet it seems they are just being Republicans, and Republicans who will do anything to attack Democrats.”

factor
("Fear not," sayeth the Lord, yet that appears to be the driving force behind the Right now. Most, maybe not all, know the deleterious effects of having Fear as a motivator. Most are paranoid and defensive, distrusting. They strongly tend to cluster with fierce loyalty to like-mind people; any hesitation or question is a betrayal. Fear always generates anger. The need to blame someone or something for their state is overwhelming.

(The Judas Goat Syndrome, in a way, though they did not sin. They are the wrongful victims. Like Lord Of The Flies, there will be a frenzied celebration over any conceived strike against the supposed enemy. Puerile insults and personal attacks against the supposed enemy will get a wild dance about the bonfire and be lauded by all, usually in chorus. Like most of the Right here at OPP and at the Capitol back in January.

(Wake the hell up, for crying out loud! Get a freaking grip. Your attitude is tearing apart this country and we will not survive your sniveling. I mean, Jeez Louise, get out of the Horror House creation of your thinking, like some cheap Carnie attraction, and get some huevos. Fight for your country.)”. Comments by Rumi taken from other threads!


The comments above are just a sampling of your “kindness, care, gentleness, decency, and love”.........this is what you demand of others and yet fall short of treating others with the same actions! Always the victim! Never accepting responsibility of doing what you accuse others of doing!

Love is not all that is required, nor is it the Gospel! Even Atheists can love and be wonderful people and still go to Hell. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is what saves us and love is the fruit of that gift that He gave when He died on the cross for our sins.

Reply
Apr 22, 2021 20:53:35   #
Rose42
 
TexaCan wrote:
“I would love to say the people who still believe the election was stolen are dim-witted, mentally deficient, delusional or of some malicious intent, yet it seems they are just being Republicans, and Republicans who will do anything to attack Democrats.”

factor
("Fear not," sayeth the Lord, yet that appears to be the driving force behind the Right now. Most, maybe not all, know the deleterious effects of having Fear as a motivator. Most are paranoid and defensive, distrusting. They strongly tend to cluster with fierce loyalty to like-mind people; any hesitation or question is a betrayal. Fear always generates anger. The need to blame someone or something for their state is overwhelming.

(The Judas Goat Syndrome, in a way, though they did not sin. They are the wrongful victims. Like Lord Of The Flies, there will be a frenzied celebration over any conceived strike against the supposed enemy. Puerile insults and personal attacks against the supposed enemy will get a wild dance about the bonfire and be lauded by all, usually in chorus. Like most of the Right here at OPP and at the Capitol back in January.

(Wake the hell up, for crying out loud! Get a freaking grip. Your attitude is tearing apart this country and we will not survive your sniveling. I mean, Jeez Louise, get out of the Horror House creation of your thinking, like some cheap Carnie attraction, and get some huevos. Fight for your country.)”. Comments by Rumi taken from other threads!


The comments above are just a sampling of your “kindness, care, gentleness, decency, and love”.........this is what you demand of others and yet fall short of treating others with the same actions! Always the victim! Never accepting responsibility of doing what you accuse others of doing!

Love is not all that is required, nor is it the Gospel! Even Atheists can love and be wonderful people and still go to Hell. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is what saves us and love is the fruit of that gift that He gave when He died on the cross for our sins.
“I would love to say the people who still believe ... (show quote)


Watered down Christianity is popular these days.

Reply
Apr 22, 2021 21:38:59   #
Roamin' Catholic Loc: luxurious exile
 
Rose42 wrote:
Watered down Christianity is popular these days.


Indeed! Christianity seems to be losing ground in terms of numbers so many denominations have been watering it down, trying to make it more fun, (rock music doesn't make religion more hip, it just makes rock music more lame), trying to make it easier, taking away the supernatural.

But young Catholics are drawn to the majesty, the mystery, the smells and bells, the outlandish claim of the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist...💒

Reply
Apr 22, 2021 22:06:20   #
Roamin' Catholic Loc: luxurious exile
 
TexaCan wrote:


Love is not all that is required, nor is it the Gospel! Even Atheists can love and be wonderful people and still go to Hell. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is what saves us and love is the fruit of that gift that He gave when He died on the cross for our sins.


Amen TexaCan! 🙏

But also, many orders of Religious Brothers and Sisters pray for those who have died without baptism, in all times and places, and for the unrepentant, and the non-believers.

God wills not the death of sinners, but righteous judgment demands atonement. God loves all His children, both adopted and wayward. That's all the reason we should need to pray, "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have Mercy on us and on the whole world..."

Some say, so why doesn't God just snap his fingers and Poof! all is well?

Well, that would erase the concepts of good vs. evil, moral vs. immoral, justice vs. injustice, sacred vs. profane. And we all would be greatly diminished, just happy little lap dogs. 🐩

We would no longer be destined for greatness...🗽

Reply
 
 
Apr 23, 2021 01:04:41   #
rumitoid
 
Rose42 wrote:
Try posting articles without your usual "I'm a victim" and try and refrain from being dishonest - as you were again right from the get go.

Do you believe this article? If so, then why do you continually demean and insult your neighbor?


Hoho, again with the un-Christian comments only insults and not thoughtful. Unreal. Gentleness? Kindness? You are one of the two I mentioned as being cruel and nasty instead of enlightening and encouraging. How can you be so dense?

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 01:10:06   #
rumitoid
 
TexaCan wrote:
“I would love to say the people who still believe the election was stolen are dim-witted, mentally deficient, delusional or of some malicious intent, yet it seems they are just being Republicans, and Republicans who will do anything to attack Democrats.”

factor
("Fear not," sayeth the Lord, yet that appears to be the driving force behind the Right now. Most, maybe not all, know the deleterious effects of having Fear as a motivator. Most are paranoid and defensive, distrusting. They strongly tend to cluster with fierce loyalty to like-mind people; any hesitation or question is a betrayal. Fear always generates anger. The need to blame someone or something for their state is overwhelming.

(The Judas Goat Syndrome, in a way, though they did not sin. They are the wrongful victims. Like Lord Of The Flies, there will be a frenzied celebration over any conceived strike against the supposed enemy. Puerile insults and personal attacks against the supposed enemy will get a wild dance about the bonfire and be lauded by all, usually in chorus. Like most of the Right here at OPP and at the Capitol back in January.

(Wake the hell up, for crying out loud! Get a freaking grip. Your attitude is tearing apart this country and we will not survive your sniveling. I mean, Jeez Louise, get out of the Horror House creation of your thinking, like some cheap Carnie attraction, and get some huevos. Fight for your country.)”. Comments by Rumi taken from other threads!


The comments above are just a sampling of your “kindness, care, gentleness, decency, and love”.........this is what you demand of others and yet fall short of treating others with the same actions! Always the victim! Never accepting responsibility of doing what you accuse others of doing!

Love is not all that is required, nor is it the Gospel! Even Atheists can love and be wonderful people and still go to Hell. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior is what saves us and love is the fruit of that gift that He gave when He died on the cross for our sins.
“I would love to say the people who still believe ... (show quote)


Wow! You and Rose 42 are again vicious in attacking me and not addressing the topic. Love, not me, is the topic. Jesus said love is all that is required. But stew in your hate juices.

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 07:37:36   #
Rose42
 
rumitoid wrote:
Hoho, again with the un-Christian comments only insults and not thoughtful. Unreal. Gentleness? Kindness? You are one of the two I mentioned as being cruel and nasty instead of enlightening and encouraging. How can you be so dense?


You are dishonest again in this post as in your OP. Pointing out the truth - that you CONSTANTLY insult people - isn’t cruel. We hope you’ll change your ways.

You will never change unless you acknowledge the hate you harbor for so many. Perhaps its a comfort to you to hang onto that hate. But its destructive. One thing it does is causes you to be dishonest.

This is your pattern. A stream of bile filled posts then an ‘all you need is love’ type post. If you don’t have faith you can’t have love

Christians aren’t doormats. You need to be called on what you do.

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 08:00:28   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
Rose42 wrote:
You are dishonest again in this post as in your OP. Pointing out the truth - that you CONSTANTLY insult people - isn’t cruel. We hope you’ll change your ways.

You will never change unless you acknowledge the hate you harbor for so many. Perhaps its a comfort to you to hang onto that hate. But its destructive. One thing it does is causes you to be dishonest.

This is your pattern. A stream of bile filled posts then an ‘all you need is love’ post.

Christians aren’t doormats. You need to be called on what you do.
You are dishonest again in this post as in your OP... (show quote)


Hopefully, someday he will see through his veiled eyes and acknowledge his own actions and hate!

Reply
 
 
Apr 23, 2021 08:04:03   #
Rose42
 
TexaCan wrote:
Hopefully, someday he will see through his veiled eyes and acknowledge his own actions and hate!


I pray he does. God loves us all no matter what we’ve done. No one is above another.

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 08:13:07   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
rumitoid wrote:
Wow! You and Rose 42 are again vicious in attacking me and not addressing the topic. Love, not me, is the topic. Jesus said love is all that is required. But stew in your hate juices.


My post was on TOPIC!

I gave you your actual words that prove you constantly spew insults! I then addressed your comment on love!

Once again! You have made ridiculous claims! We attack your words and your constant victim hood!

As you tell us.........prove your claims!🤯

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 08:27:15   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
Rose42 wrote:
I pray he does. God loves us all no matter what we’ve done. No one is above another.


Absolutely!

Reply
Apr 24, 2021 17:42:38   #
Michael Rich Loc: Lapine Oregon
 
rumitoid wrote:
Hoho, again with the un-Christian comments only insults and not thoughtful. Unreal. Gentleness? Kindness? You are one of the two I mentioned as being cruel and nasty instead of enlightening and encouraging. How can you be so dense?


It's true.

You always do insert yourself as a victim.

Reply
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