estranged family members

[paradox3]

Yes, in this day and age if someone comes out as gay or bi or trans, that's fine. But for me to come out as having been celibate til marriage - shocking!

The "craziness" of saving sex til marriage - http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org...and-the-craziness-of-saving-sex-for-marriage/

Hey Brother Jae, I was getting a little worried when you told us about your "resolve" in remaining celibate. I didn't think we needed to hear the details of said resolve

But I meant no criticism of your decision . . . P3

 

[Luce NDs]

Celibate ... a sense of isolated from something? That could be a matured thought!

Maybe one should get into what's out there to learn ...

 

[Seeler]

I was unaware that you're a pastor.

I believe that Rita is a clergy person (or minister; not being Baptist I doubt if she identifies as a pastor).

 

[paradox3]

I believe that Rita is a clergy person (or minister; not being Baptist I doubt if she identifies as a pastor).

I am acquainted with a United Church minister who identifies as a "pastor". Relatively uncommon but it happens in our denomination.

 

[Mendalla]

I believe that Rita is a clergy person (or minister; not being Baptist I doubt if she identifies as a pastor).

Is she? She's an advocate for transgender causes but I didn't think she was ordained. @RitaTG ?

 

[Luce NDs]

Are sum ordained to raise chit?

 

[dreamerman]

Are sum ordained to raise chit?

Maybe. Gives you more time to smell the roses and helps with the growing process.

 

[Luce NDs]

That could seem reasonable if it weren't the connection of roses with irrational activities ...

 

[RitaTG]

...for the record .... I am not a pastor ..... not that it really matters to this discussion.
I am just an ordinary everyday person

 

[revjohn]

I am just an ordinary everyday person

Hopefully being a pastor/priest/clergyperson is not mutually exclusive from being an ordinary everyday person.

 

[RitaTG]

Hopefully being a pastor/priest/clergyperson is not mutually exclusive from being an ordinary everyday person.

Indeed it is not ... rather I feel that is the core ..........

 

[Luce NDs]

If many people understood this ... would some stop treating and being treated as god's ...?

 

[RitaTG]

If many people understood this ... would some stop treating and being treated as god's ...?

Hopefully ..... yes....

 

[Luce NDs]

Hopefully ..... yes....

Isn't that a devilish thought to many with the power of literal opposing the literate? In bred and bred fruit of mine inter coarse of thigns encountered in a roughshod whorled ... hob nailed ... or just oynx'd to heaven ... as abstract conspiracy ... dark plot?

One leg up onit?

 

[Seeler]

...for the record .... I am not a pastor ..... not that it really matters to this discussion.
I am just an ordinary everyday person

Sorry Rita, for some reason I thought that you were (or had been) UCC clergy in a two point charge. I must be mixing you up with someone else.

 

[RitaTG]

Sorry Rita, for some reason I thought that you were (or had been) UCC clergy in a two point charge. I must be mixing you up with someone else.

Actually I am flattered

 

[Luce NDs]

Ordinary people ... dangerous to the elite .. and thus the way things work backward in the Peter Prin.

Also why the fathers of theology would like to keep ordinary people numbed ... works well for CEOS and politicians too ... but they refew to it as the conspiracy of naïveté ... the understanding therewith of what it means slips by too many at the top ...

 

[Jaebius]

Okay, so I believe God has changed my heart when it comes to my brother's girlfriend.

I've been looking down at her like she's a sinner I'd best stay away from. Truth is, I'm an old sinner myself.

Only difference might be that I've been saved by God's grace.

When my brother and his girlfriend visit Toronto, I'll do my best to show loving hospitality to both of them.

 

[Luce NDs]

You never know what kind of spark is hidden there hidden in the cloudy surroundings created by mortal laws ... something greater than you'd expect?

 

[revjohn]

Truth is, I'm an old sinner myself.

Amen.

Only difference might be that I've been saved by God's grace.

If that is the only difference and it is only "might" then you really do need to reconsider your behaviour and attitude.

Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’

How do you measure up against this standard? Do you forgive as much as you have been forgiven? Bear in mind that a willingness to show little love is indicative of having received little forgiveness. What is it that you want to display as an ambassador of Christ. That you have not been forgiven much or that you love much?

And even if that isn't very compelling.

Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’

This is the standard Chirst sets and obligates you, as his disciple, to match. This is where Christ walked. Will you willingly follow?

When my brother and his girlfriend visit Toronto, I'll do my best to show loving hospitality to both of them.

Why not aim at simply being loving. If you can manage that the hospitality part will look after itself. If the only standard you are wanting to set is hospitality (even if it is loving) you aren't interested in the relationship. You are interested in looking like you care about one.

‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

I'm confident the same sentiment applies to hospitality.

Your choice though, as one saved by grace and whom I am guessing values grace I am surprised you aren't more generous with it.