tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post2842712846668298229..comments2023-06-07T07:52:00.861-07:00Comments on Mind My Business: A voice for the voiceless 2JUANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-72304485546621414552008-08-25T20:29:00.000-07:002008-08-25T20:29:00.000-07:00To make myself clear... I'm talking about you reti...To make myself clear... I'm talking about you retiring from this post... not as a pastor.. Didn't know if that's what you might of thought.. :)JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-81864204759491319312008-08-25T16:12:00.000-07:002008-08-25T16:12:00.000-07:00Steve,I'm not offended what so ever... Not angry.....Steve,<BR/><BR/>I'm not offended what so ever... Not angry.. Not bitter (as you kindly categorized me)<BR/><BR/>I think the virtue "choose your words wisely" needs to be considered by both you and I... For myself and for the kiddies,I'm willing to take a few punches from my fellow brothers and sisters... But if the blows are uneducated, un-biblical and furthermore self-righteous, I have to throw up a few blocks here and there and recommend that the opposition retire.. In your case you have allowed yourself to fantasize on skewed probabilities that are far from taking place here in the U.S. (i.e. Pro-Life Adolf Hitler) .. I on the other hand speak from "reality"... and like I said... I do scrape the border of what some would find extreme but I remain in a realm that people will find evident in todays society..<BR/><BR/>I only recommend that you retire... because clearly it's a waste of your time to continue, because you have made your points, in which I understand....as I have made mine..<BR/><BR/>No biggie.. ultimately, we are on the same team... and we both still have lots to learn. (more so myself.) I believe as long as we are willing to remain focussed on the face of Christ we will know how to truly take part in hard issues of the world we live in..JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-29972422735099708862008-08-25T16:10:00.000-07:002008-08-25T16:10:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-79395156700783266542008-08-25T15:39:00.000-07:002008-08-25T15:39:00.000-07:00Hey Juan,I must confess I am a little shocked at y...Hey Juan,<BR/><BR/>I must confess I am a little shocked at your comments...<BR/><BR/>I don't quite understand why you would tell me I need to retire?<BR/><BR/>I feel like perhaps you are angry at me???<BR/><BR/>Did I say something that came across as a personal attack??<BR/><BR/>If so, know that it was unintentional.WTF?!https://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-25519445747516168352008-08-25T01:36:00.000-07:002008-08-25T01:36:00.000-07:00Steve,I remember who you are.. You were a incredi...Steve,<BR/><BR/>I remember who you are.. You were a incredibly massive dude and had a passion for wrestling... seems that has never left you, but looks like you have changed to different avenues.. I also see that you are a pastor.. That is a great accomplishment as I am not.. And given what I have seen on your behalf, I would humbly suggest that you revolt away from any continued contribution and tend to what God has tangibly placed in your life.. Topics like these do matter.. However, I am not one that is going to try and change your mind.. I also don't want to be responsible for causing you to stumble.. I want to make sure that none of this will turn and bite you in the future... Being a pastor is a very serious walk.. not at all perfect, and I'm not gonna hold that against you, but rather protect you from embarrassment.. I mean that with all sincerity and suggest that you retire..<BR/><BR/>with venues like this, it's hard to understand one's tone... Although I make myself clear and scrape the borders of what people might see as extreme I only use "generalizations" to make my point.. But I will never directly us hurtful words toward a single individual... But I will be honest.. and I will be direct.. and I will be biblical..JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-18776190722781667812008-08-25T01:00:00.000-07:002008-08-25T01:00:00.000-07:00Steve, I understood you loud and clear.. You belie...Steve, <BR/><BR/>I understood you loud and clear.. You believe there is not much "wiggle room" in the topic of abortion.. I don't believe any margin of justification or "wiggle room" as you put it exists.. Like I said, I believe in trusting God wholeheartedly.. and I think "most" (not all) Christians only trust God with what is comfortable, including casting a vote that puts them at ease rather than giving God the control.. in this case you claim abortion is inevitable, so we as Christians should focus on other matters..<BR/><BR/> With these things in mind I would assume it's clear as to where I stand versus youself... however, I'm asking fellow Christians to show me where we as believers can "wiggle" or rather step into a place that Jesus would stand confidently in support of in the realm that puts millions of babies to death..<BR/><BR/>If this is your opinion, It's your opinion.. but you are sadly mistaken..Everything Jesus did promoted life. And the change He called us to promoted discipline, coming against our flesh and taking up our cross daily...<BR/><BR/>Again, I want to make sure we stay on track here.. Nowhere in the context of my blog do I make a stand against anyone having an abortion.. In any particular situation I allow God to minister to me and drive how I would react..And again, I want to make myself clear... This question isn't directed towards abortion or anyone that has had one, but rather "Christians" that somehow believe they can find rhyme and reason to why it is inevitable and also justifiable...and even state that we should make it safe..<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure what you really mean by your "Pro-life Hitler". I would like to give you some validity there.. But I think you have made quite the overstatement and drawn up in your head that a "Pro-life Hitler" would make it this far in a political race.. Plus, you blatantly confirmed for me, that you weigh things differently than I and make your judgments in contrast with life and death issues.. Yeah, I get there are other things that matter... and I make myself clear in my blog as to how those "other" issues pale in comparison to the death of millions of babies..<BR/><BR/>Abortion is not the issue for God/Jesus? Very interesting.. Scripture clearly disagrees with you there... starting with Proverbs 24:11-12..<BR/><BR/>We can also see in Exodus 21 where God shows us a consequence for the death of an unborn child.. Which tells me, although we as believers live in a time further from what God chose to place on believers then.. I don't know of any scripture where He changes his mind on the topic of suffering children.. <BR/><BR/>But then we see later in scripture.. God shows us again how he feels about the children in Mark 10:13<BR/><BR/>"The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off . But Jesus was IRATE and let them know it. "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. these children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this. Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get it."<BR/><BR/>I think Jesus makes himself clear on the issue of children and what he expects of his disciples.... <BR/><BR/>To answer you last question... Yes I know a few people that have had an abortion.. But like I said.. I'm not talking about them.. and I allow God to dictate my spirit, driving me with sensitivity and grace towards those that have traveled down that road.. If you pay attention to the context of my blog, you might discover what the issue is I'm addressing... I don't have a bomb with a clinics name on it.. so lets drop that.. I'm not a radical in any sense...<BR/><BR/>With my comment about the Vineyard.. I hope you didn't feel attacked in anyway.. Like I said you come from an amazing camp.. I gave you some insight to my experiences with both Pastor Mike and Nancy (does she put Pastor in front of her name now? she should.. haha) and with that I would hope to ease the tension that you might have with me... <BR/><BR/>and like I said, you can always track down my number and give me a jingle...<BR/><BR/>Somehow I missed using your quote to support how I'm different.. so I'll ad it here.. and I'm probably repeating my self.. but oh well.. (anything for the kiddies.)<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/>"will this pro-life candidate do other things that I like? Because, frankly, they will do little to nothing to erode the right to abort that women in our country currently have."<BR/><BR/>Seems you have some of your own motives rather than what God calls us to... In which that's ok.. but you're clearly not Pro-life in this case..JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-3992114927014247712008-08-24T20:33:00.000-07:002008-08-24T20:33:00.000-07:00Hey Juan,I guess I wasn't as clear as I could be. ...Hey Juan,<BR/><BR/>I guess I wasn't as clear as I could be. I certainly don't think there is much wiggle room in how a Christian should approach the question of abortion in and of itself. It is evil.<BR/><BR/>However, (and this is what I meant by 'the art of the possible') if our choice was a pro-life Adolf Hitler, and a pro-choice... well, anyone <I>other</I> than Hitler. You see my point?<BR/><BR/>Rarely, if ever, in politics is the question, "Abortion, yes or no?" put on the table. Rather, the question is "will this pro-life candidate do other things that I like? Because, frankly, they will do little to nothing to erode the right to abort that women in our country currently have."<BR/><BR/>But this brings me to the deeper issue...<BR/><BR/>By making abortion the issue as Christians, we are failing to see that abortion <I>is not</I> the issue for <I>Jesus!</I><BR/><BR/>The war is not against pro-choice individuals. The war is not against flesh and blood...<BR/><BR/>Do you know anyone who has ever had an abortion, or taken their girlfriend to have one? What is the Christian response to people who make lots and lots of money aborting babies?<BR/><BR/>We don't battle <I>against</I> them, but rather we battle <I>on their behalf!!</I><BR/><BR/>I think this changes some of our rhetoric, don't you?<BR/><BR/>=============<BR/><BR/>And, yes, I come from the vineyard...<BR/><BR/>I remember you Juan...<BR/><BR/>I love Pastor Mike and Nancy dearly. They are my spiritual parents. Their commitment to follow Jesus instead of take the easy road has made such a tremendous difference in my life... I have watched them both choose to do things that caused so many people to walk away from their church... that is a tremendously difficult thing for most pastors to do. I am grateful to God for them both...WTF?!https://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-77988962242951480402008-08-24T14:20:00.000-07:002008-08-24T14:20:00.000-07:00well Steve... in the words of Rob Bell, I think yo...well Steve... in the words of Rob Bell, I think you've missed it.. in fact you have.. The line is drawn.. you might see where it's ok to consider abortion because of "certain circumstances".. I don't and I clearly make my point in my blog..<BR/><BR/>It's ironic that you would approach me and call me bitter.. Given the fact that I'm sacrificing my character for those that never had one.. You might think I'm arrogant, ignorant, or even stupid.. and in which I say.. I'm not trying to conform to any passive excuse so many Christians arm themselves with.. In a war fighting for life that weapon is like bringing a squirt gun to the battle of Armageddon.. unless it's filled with holy water I guess you might have a chance.. but in my case fervently make my concern and say anything for the kiddies..<BR/><BR/>From what I understand about selfish ambition or even bitterness is, its more focused on the single person.. In this case I have nothing to gain. <BR/><BR/>Calling "Christians" in accord is something we see all over scripture.. We have gotten into a pattern of only receiving messages that are warm and fuzzy...<BR/><BR/>I see you come from the Vineyard.. amazing community. I remember when Nancy Kerns prophesied over me and God told her to drive her fist into my gut like a sword... If you want you might ask her as to why she would do such a thing... I remember like it was yesterday.. but it might be better if you heard it from her.. although my relationship with the Vineyard is next to nothing she continues to believe in me as to Pastor Mike..<BR/><BR/>The approach I'm taking is a dangerous one because I'm speaking to comfortable Christians.. I'd probably have an easier time speaking to God haters..<BR/><BR/> It seems although we are in agreement that life is what matters, I'm afraid I take a greater stance as to what that really means. I wouldn't do it unless I knew God was calling me. I still have many things to learn, but none of them is how I might see where politics is the art of the possible especially when it comes to abortion like you so boldly state.. I give all my faith to God in which all things are possible.. I've made many retarded mistakes in my life and nothing in this world or the "art" thereof has gotten me out of the messes that I've created.. Only God...<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your concern with Bell and McLaren.. and I do have concern about them.. Some good some bad, but that is not the topic.. So, maybe when.. If I care to "nuance" down the same paths as them that will give you the ability to ask me.. But lets not allow a small excerpt to get off track..<BR/><BR/>If you still feel I might be a little much and want to call me out... Give me a call.. anytime Mon-Fri... you can get my number if you call the Stirring Office.. I'm not gonna post it here..JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-70008895981206582632008-08-24T11:04:00.000-07:002008-08-24T11:04:00.000-07:00Wow, Juan.That's quite the diatribe.I am quite ada...Wow, Juan.<BR/><BR/>That's quite the diatribe.<BR/><BR/>I am quite adamantly pro-life, however, it seems that there is room for a little more nuance than you are allowing.<BR/><BR/>It has been said that 'politics is the art of the possible,' what do you make of that?<BR/><BR/>And I am a little suprised at the vitriol you aim at McLaren and Bell...<BR/><BR/>...what did they do?WTF?!https://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-80006369451839660872008-08-22T16:17:00.000-07:002008-08-22T16:17:00.000-07:00www.mtio.com/articles/aissar35.htmi think that sho...www.mtio.com/articles/aissar35.htm<BR/><BR/>i think that should work. let me know what you think.Josh H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10094470109875163890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-58848852116405918772008-08-22T16:00:00.000-07:002008-08-22T16:00:00.000-07:00by the way... I literally wear this passion on my ...by the way... I literally wear this passion on my sleeve.. a tattoo that reminds me of the compassion Jesus had for children... <BR/><BR/>Somehow these types don't hear His words and have set up a "slaughter house"... treating life as if they are the master and have the full control to choose whether God's promise matters to these little ones or not..JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-32943997682866491292008-08-22T15:52:00.000-07:002008-08-22T15:52:00.000-07:00interesting...I've always had a passion for the ki...interesting...<BR/><BR/>I've always had a passion for the kiddies.. Not that I want to be in youth ministry or anything.. but when I see these little ones running a muck.. it always hits me.. that's the future! That's who God is going to use... and we can't dictate that for God..<BR/><BR/>People will probably ask me things about... incest, rape, and all the other evil things that they could constitute for aborting life... but then I would ask... who are you trying to punish?JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-38877630479416568722008-08-22T15:42:00.000-07:002008-08-22T15:42:00.000-07:00preach it. christians can be for universal health ...preach it. christians can be for universal health care. christians can be for higher taxes if they want. christians CANNOT be pro-abortion/pro-choice/pro-infanticide<BR/>you cannot claim to be a christian and support (or turn a blind eye to) abortion in any way, shape or form.<BR/>saying "it's not the only issue" is a cop out. i am excited to read youe ebook. i'll send you a great link i found on abortion...just have to refind it...but it is an evangelical rebuttal to all the pro-abortion arguments (lies)Josh H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10094470109875163890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-28717548555955163642008-08-22T14:38:00.000-07:002008-08-22T14:38:00.000-07:00I'm convinced that most Christians that vote Pro-C...I'm convinced that most Christians that vote Pro-Choice... bar-hop, watch too much MTV on a daily basis and have a surplus of pixie stix that they're snorting up their noses.. oh did I mention they NEVER read their bible and ONLY pray to God when they can't make rent. They continue to live their lives on a hippy skipping track telling others it's all about love brother. Someone needs to stop them and let them know that the "change" Jesus called us to, doesn't go in a circle and look like a toilet.. <BR/><BR/>I'm also convinced that the Christians that carry "some" sort of intellect watch too much Oprah and lean on the "supposed wisdom" of others, through literature proclaiming how we've missed it in the last 2000 years, Jesus is satan's bro, mother nature has a fever, we're addicted to dinosaur juice, wisdom is a female.. and the Holocaust never happened... <BR/><BR/>Did I mention these people only read the scriptures that they can parallel with a book that has skewed the context of God's word to benefit their self proclaimed claptrap?... Or better yet if I had a family and I was taking them to KKK meetings.. I think I'd be a racist... But Pro-Choice Christians can hold hands with the ACLU and find a reason why I'm not...Just like they can only find their reasons supporting abortion existing outside God's word.. <BR/><BR/>Anybody else see something wrong with this picture?JUANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517019039645370390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254774150529243318.post-11024893086440582012008-08-22T09:37:00.000-07:002008-08-22T09:37:00.000-07:00excellent post. i have been doing some research in...excellent post. i have been doing some research into obama and his views on aborted babies that are still alive after the abortion procedure...what a horrific thing to go through...but he is all for putting them to death regardless. lets move to premature babies next. maybe he'll come up with a law that says "you have one week after birth to kill your baby"...offensive and scary. anyways, great post. people need to hear about this...Josh H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10094470109875163890noreply@blogger.com