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What does FEMA stand for? and Serfing USA  were very interesting posts about freedom vs beauracracy

Homosexual Marriage

The topic of "Homosexual Marriage" has been in the news a lot lately, particularly with our governor's response to the NY law so I thought I would give my thoughts on it.

GOD designed and defined marriage between one man and one woman. HE allowed multiple wives at certain times, but any other form of partnership is clearly not marriage. Therefore there can be no such thing as homosexual marriage. HE defined it and only HE can redefine it, the USA or State of NY cannot redefine what GOD defined. I can call a car an airplane, but that doesn't make it one.

The problem started when government at any level started recognizing and recording marriages. In the US there is no legal authority for county, state, or federal government to recognize, record, or solemnize marriage. It is solely a function of GOD and HIS church.  Government has no business being involved. When government gets involved decisions are made based on political power and not what it right.

Some claim that is just gives homosexuals the same rights as anyone else. They already have the same rights as anyone else, they are free to marry, fornicate, or adulterate as they wish. They can leave their possessions to anyone they want to on their death or during their life. They can jointly buy houses, cars, etc just like married people.

What the homosexual community wants is to destroy CHRISTianity and the attack on marriage is just one method. They want to be able to sin and no one be able to tell them it is a sin. They want to rebel against GOD with no consequences. It doesn't work that way, even if they eliminate the social consequences, there are still eternal consequences to the unrepentant sinner.

It is not "Gay Marriage." The homosexual community has coopted the word gay. The word gay used to mean according to Websters

1  a : happily excited : merry

   b : keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits

2  a : bright, lively

   b : brilliant in color

The homosexuals want to portray themselves as happy funloving people when in fact they are anything but.

Homosexual behavior is a sin, just like adultery or fornication(often found in the church). The only answer to sin is to repent and accept the forgiveness paid for by JESUS. There is no other answer to sin and in this way, homosexuality is no different than any other sin.

CHRISTians and the church have too frequently been involved in attempting to pass laws to keep people from sinful behavior. This simply does not work and is not what JESUS taught us to do. We must preach the Gospel to the world around us and encourage them to repent and turn away from their sin(all sin, not just homosexuality) and to turn to JESUS the author and perfector of our faith.  HE took away my sins and he will take theirs also.

GOD loves homosexuals just like he loves all sinners.  HE offers the free gift of salvation through the sacrifice of JESUS on the cross.  But those who refuse to repent and ask for forgiveness will be judged according to their sins.  Those who do repent and ask for forgiveness will be judged according to JESUS' sinlessness.  This applies to murderers, thieves, satan worshipers, adulterers, fornicators, and homosexuals as well as all other sinners.  100% of humans will be judged.

Youth Ministry, does it work? What can we do about it

I dare you to watch it.

Email Tips from Seth's blog

Before you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
1. Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
2. Since it's going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
3. Are they blind copied?
4. Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
5. So that means that if I didn't send it to them, they'd complain about not getting it?
6. See #5. If they wouldn't complain, take them off!
7. That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
8. Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated, personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a sender. Probably none of my business, but I'm just letting you know how I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
9. Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
10. Have I corresponded with this person before?
11. Really? They've written back? (if no, reconsider email).
12. If it is a cold-call email, and I'm sure it's welcome, and I'm sure it's not spam, then don't apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes, it's spam, and I'll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
13. Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
14. Could I do this note better with a phone call?
15. Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
16. Is there anything in this email I don't want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
17. Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
18. Is it in black type at a normal size?
19. Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
20. Have I included the line, "Please save the planet. Don't print this email"? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest ranger or flight attendant).
21. Could this email be shorter?
22. Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
23. Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like 'send big files' and consider your options.)
24. Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
25. Are there any :-) or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
26. Am I forwarding someone else's mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
27. Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else's)? (If so, delete).
28. Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it's 'actually true).
29. Did I hit 'reply all'? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
30. Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, "yes," is not helpful).
31. If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it's? Just wondering.
32. If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the asymmetrical nature of email--free to send, expensive investment of time to read or delete?
33. Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
34. Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
35. Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what's to come and likely it will get filed properly?
36. If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?

Chris Anderson has come up with his own list as well.