4 weeks at the Palmer correctional center

I have been attending the mentoring program at Palmer correctional center for 4 weeks now and it is an eye opening, spiritually moving experience.

There are hurting people there who are hungry for God and His love. Those incarcerated for whatever reason, God does not care what they are in for, are transforming their lives through the TLC program. 

God’s presence is palpable in a room full of these who made mistakes in their life and are currently paying by being isolated from family and friends. Yet, there is a community there that is awesome.The fellowship between the mentor and mentee is  inspiring to see.

Consider this definition of church:

A loose-knit network of Jesus followers who gather together to encourage each other in their spiritual life and who go out, moved by the Holy Spirit, sharing and demonstrating the Gospel.

Loose-knit. Not formal membership, just a love-commitment to God and each other. 

Jesus followers. The basic requirement for membership in the church.

Who gather together. Gathering to build one another up and to worship.

Who go out. The purpose of believers… to GO with the message.

Moved by the Holy Spirit. The one and only LEADER of the church.

Sharing and demonstrating the gospel. The reason that the church GOES.

http://sojourner.typepad.com/house_church_blog/2004/02/_house_church_b.html

בְּרָכָה
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From: 20 Obvious Truths That Will Shock Liberals by John Hawkins
Jesus Christ was not a conservative, a liberal, or a politician. He was also not a capitalist or a socialist. Still, you can say this: Jesus drew sharp lines about what's right and wrong, he wasn't tolerant of what the Bible categorizes as sinful behavior, and there's absolutely no question that he would adamantly oppose abortion and gay marriage.

בְּרָכָה
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LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
ON THE PASTORAL CARE OF HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS 1986

The Church, obedient to the Lord who founded her and gave to her the sacramental life, celebrates the divine plan of the loving and live-giving union of men and women in the sacrament of marriage. It is only in the marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. A person engaging in homosexual behaviour therefore acts immorally.

To chose someone of the same sex for one's sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator's sexual design. Homosexual activity is not a complementary union, able to transmit life; and so it thwarts the call to a life of that form of self-giving which the Gospel says is the essence of Christian living. This does not mean that homosexual persons are not often generous and giving of themselves; but when they engage in homosexual activity they confirm within themselves a disordered sexual inclination which is essentially self-indulgent.

As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. 

בְּרָכָה
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blacklist

Interesting comments from one of those "blacklisted" by GLAAD. Why is GLAAD choosing those with a Christian worldview to silence? What are they afraid of from this group? Could it be that deep down they realize that their lifestyle choice is wrong and they don't want others to remind them of that? Remember, we are called to love the person but hate the action.

http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/03/15/who%E2%80%99s-using-the-hate-language/

בְּרָכָה
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Hurting

Some thoughts from today's sermon in church:
Pain can push us closer to God
Desperation leads to transformation
Hurt people hurt people without transformation of their pain by the Holy Spirit

בְּרָכָה
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Comments from my small group

Am I being Christ to the world I am currently in?

What is life in Christ like outside the walls of the church?

Life of a Christian requires an outward focus.

Love God and your neighbor. Can’t have one without the other.