Author Archives: MzEllen

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Good for the goose?

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez needs a new hairdresser — or a new stance on gay marriage.

Martinez was recently dropped by her hair stylist, Antonio Darden, who is gay.

Darden told a local news station that he cut the governor’s hair three times, but won’t do it again as long as she continues to oppose gay marriage.

Is it okay for a photographer to decline a client, involving taking pictures for a gay wedding?  Is it okay if she is sued for doing so?

Is it okay for a gay stylist to decline a client because of their political stand?  Should it be okay to be sued for doing so?

(for the record, I believe that a private business owner should be able to live out their conscience, no matter what side of the fence, without fear of a bankrupting law suit.)

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This was on the back of a magazine a few years ago and a friend made a file of it and saved it. I want to keep it handy.

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August 20, 2027

Dear Mom,

I'm not sure how to tell you this, but Jenny is becoming such a burden on our family here. Ever since her addition to the family in '24, she has been nothing but problems for us: finding a school, daycare, and even clothing have cost us money. After four years, her brother still isn't getting used to sharing his room with her, being as she's so curious about everything and goes through his things. She's so cute and she is showing signs of real intelligence.

We've discussed the problem with our pastor, and he said that sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made. We decided to seek the help of the state Family Planning and Assistance Center and we think we've come up with the best solution. Jeff is only a few years older than she is, so I don't think he'll understand where she went or remember her for long. We plan on telling her friends that she moved. We made the appointment as soon as they could get us a spot, they're so busy. Jenny has no idea of what it is, she thinks she's going for her vaccinations so she can start school with her friends next month. I'm not concerned since the shot is relatively painless and the whole termination process takes only five minutes, she won't feel a thing.

Mom, I don' t want you to think that we don't love her, we do, but it's just not fair to continue to keep her in a world where she's unwanted. A world of wanted children would be a better place, don't you think? Please, don't give us any of that "right-to-life" grief that grandma gave you about abortions, you know I don't believe in that garbage. I believe no one has the right to control how or when I choose to raise my family. At least they've barred those religious bigots from preaching that Jesus stuff at the centers. Well, anyway, I guess it's good that you and Dad never really spent much time with her, or it might make you feel different. Love to Dad. Let us know if you want some of her ashes.

Sincerely,

Patti

P.S. I just found out that the IdentiChip we had to have put in her hand is returnable, so you and Dad can get your loan back.

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I started reading "Journeying Through Lent with Matthew" and the author wrote about the ashes that were used when he went through the ceremony with his congregation.

We are dust.  Nothing.

If we are nothing, what (or Who) makes us something?

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39 (ESV)

If I determine to focus on the Giver of Life, what becomes of me?

at the end of the daily devotional,

But the cross remains, marking us invisibly and indelibly.  Jesus knew:  the death of self is the path to the resurrection and the life.

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I generally start out Lent with a determination.  Last year I gave up wheat.  I had to think about what I put into my mouth, read labels and I realized how little thought I gave to what I ate.

this year - a sacrifice and a discipline.

candy (this is hard) and blogging every day.

So far, so good.

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I'd like to be at one of them...

Here's the website.

T.D.Jakes drummed up a little extra controversy at the January 25th setting.

First, there was what was said (his history of modalism and current - possibly Trinitarian - beliefs)

Jakes: I believe the latter one is where I stand today. One God – Three Persons. I am not crazy about the word persons though. You describe “manifestations” as modalist, but I describe it as Pauline. For God was manifest in the flesh. Paul is not a modalist, but he doesn’t think it’s robbery to say manifest in the flesh....We need to humble both sides and say, “We are trying to describe a God we love.” Why should I fall out and hate and throw names at you when it’s through a glass darkly? None of our books on the Godhead will be on sale in heaven.

And there was what was NOT said (prosperity gospel)

The Elephant Room isn't perfect, and there are a few folks who will point out everything that Driscoll does wrong.

I believe that many of the Oneness folks also preach "health and wealth" - they go hand in hand.  I haven't watched the whole Elephant Room video, but people seem to be unhappy that "health and wealth" wasn't addressed more.

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From "The Gender Blog"

The article is mostly good, but when the whopper comes...

Misconception #4: Submission is a right-a husband has the right to demand his wife's submission.

A husband does not have the right to demand or extract submission from his wife. Submission is HER choice-her responsibility... it is NOT his right!! Not ever. She is to "submit herself"- deciding when and how to submit is her call. In a Christian marriage, the focus is never on rights, but on personal responsibility. It's his responsibility to be affectionate. It's her responsibility to be agreeable. The husband's responsibility is to sacrificially love as Christ loved the Church-not to make his wife submit.

My thought is that a Christian man, who has married a woman who claims to be a Christian, has the right to expect her to act like one.  That includes being a submissive wife.

If he has not rights, then he is effectively in a hostage situation.  Not a pleasant place.

 

She is to "submit herself"- deciding when and how to submit is her call.

Agreed.

The "when" is when she says "I do" on the altar.

The "how" is "as unto the Lord."

Anything other than that is disobedience to the Law of Christ, Scripture and love.  It saddens me to see Kassian teach so.

 

 

 

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this Resurgence post, "You Are Not Jesus" nails it.

the more I hear fake gospels, the more I long for the real one.

The gospel is the good news that God sent his perfect Son Jesus Christ to live, die, and resurrect on behalf of sinners, to save their souls and reconcile them to God.

As important as it is to do good works, care for the poor, nobody becomes a Christian and enters into eternal life because we gave somebody a sandwich; They get saved because they hear the preaching of the news of Jesus.

I love the way Paul explains it in Titus 2:10-11.  He gives the "law" (to do list) and then gives us the "done list"

"...but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people..."

It is because we have Christ, that we do good works.  But our good works are not the good news.

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"The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel.

The best part of the books were

1) the interview with the historian that made the case for an early writing of the Gospels, and the book of Acts and

2) the interview with the Jewish man who set out to read the Old Testament, looking for prophesies of the Messiah, and found them fulfilled in the Jesus of the New Testament.

Other than that, a lot of the book was telling Christians what they already know.  It's a good book to know and have, because it lays "what we believe and why" out so clearly.

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INDIANOLA, Iowa – Texas Gov. Rick Perry clarified his newly transformed position on abortion today, stating that the life of the mother is the only exception in which he’d support abortion.

He's being criticized by liberal bloggers for this "flip flop" - but if any of us are so set in our ways that we cannot shift our views after an interaction with another person who can make a good case for changing...well, ask if the same liberal blogger would have called it a "flip flop" if the flip and flopped in the pro-abortion direction?

I'm going to use words that I have used.

The circumstances of a person's conception does not dictate the worth of their humanity.

Even so, for the woman who finds herself in that circumstance, I can see why she would consider abortion a viable alternative to life.  Personal conviction may not need to dictate public policy.  Sometimes it does, but in the case of rape and/or incest...EGR.

 

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“Preach The Gospel At All Times; When Necessary, Use Words” falsely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

It’s right up there with such classics as “Give someone your phone number; when necessary use numerals” or “Give someone a meal; when necessary use food.”
The saying is much loved by those who think that Christianity is more about what Jesus would do than that which Jesus has done.  Borrowed from MGPCPASTOR.

The more I hear/read it, the more I want it erased from the memories of everybody who has had it inflicted on them.

What does it mean?

WORKS - ARE the Gospel.  If I work hard enough, well enough, loving enough...the person for whom I am working, will find salvation without my using words.  If you're doing it right, you won't need words.

salvation by osmosis.

My good deeds is your good news...and that means you're screwed.

News flash:  the "good news" is not about what I can do, it's about what Christ has done.