Psalm.

Blessed be the Lord God.

For He has rescued me from those who would enslave me to the power of death.

And He has saved me from those who would put me in hell.

Blessed be the Lord God.

His tender mercies endure forever.


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Security.

People who are aggressive and domineering are basically insecure.

Their fear of domination causes them to attack and dominate others.

This is the fight or flight impulse which is triggered when their underlying fear is stimulated.

The aggressive response is the fight impulse.

Truly secure people (which are rare) are gentle and loving.

They feel no need to defend themselves against others.

The ultimate example of this is Jesus.


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Celebrity Culture.

We are constantly bombarded with images and articles about celebrities.

As if we hang on every word and deed of these modern day idols.

You would do well to treat this tidal wave of information with discrimination.

Much of what we are being sold is of dubious value.
Some of it is outright destructive.

We were not put on this earth to live the vicarious lives of celebrities.

Many of these stars are dark and self-destructive.

This is not a model we should follow.

It makes for sensational headlines not personal growth.

So do not look to egotistical superstars for your lead.

A more positive example will be found amongst the humble good.


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Logical Satanism.

If the purpose of life is to be harder and tougher than everyone else then Satanism is the logical religion.

Satanism teaches you to be the biggest, baddest beast in the jungle.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex of the world.

It also teaches that evil is power.
And darkness hides you.

So the world may see you as successful and rich and not see the evil that you do.

But this is not the purpose of life.

Life is about love - developing a loving heart.

Try living without love and your philosophy will soon fail.

What profit is it to gain the whole world if you have not love?

And love is the theater of God.


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The Gay Panic Defense.

The Anglican Archbishop has joined with a Catholic priest in Queensland, Australia to challenge the state's gay panic defense.

The gay panic defense is a justification for assault and murder if a person makes a homosexual advance towards you.

It was controversially reinstated in Queensland and has been used in other countries as a defense for murder.

The law discriminates unjustly against gay people and should be scrapped immediately.

If the situation was reversed and a heterosexual woman made an advance to a gay man would that be considered a justification for murder?

The law is ridiculously discriminatory and portrays gay people as less than human.

For too long we have been treated as second-class citizens.

The time has come to recognize our equality and scrap the gay panic defense for good.


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A Penny Each.

In the parable of the vineyard laborers the workers each receive a penny for their work no matter how long they have labored.

Perhaps the afterlife will be like this parable.

God punishes no one, so there can be no hell.

Perhaps there is also no special reward for obedience and service.

Perhaps everyone will be treated the same.

If God is understanding of my failings and forgives my transgressions then perhaps He is understanding and forgiving of everyone.

And we will receive a penny each.


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Blind Guides.

"Listen, you who are deaf; and you who are blind look up and see!
Who is blind like my servant, or deaf like my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the Lord?
He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear."  Isaiah 42:18-20 (NRSV)

Jesus called the Pharisees (the servants of God) "'blind guides of the blind.'" Matthew 15:14a (NRSV)

These quotations represent the situation in which we find that those in authority (the servants of God) are blind.

They teach "'"human precepts as doctrines."'"  Matthew 15:9b (NRSV)

This is the situation we find ourselves in today.
God's priests and ministers preach an imperial Christology which assumes absolute power while ignoring Jesus' teachings of unconditional love and forgiveness.

They use Machiavellian power plays to control the masses.

They water down the Gospel and uphold the status quo.

Blind guides!

How can the Church be saved?

You preach violence and hatred and resist all change.

Can you not see the Love of God?

Can you not hear the whispers?

Unless you wake from your dreadful sleep God's Church will die.

Listen!  Look up and see!

A new thing is coming from the Lord.

A new way of preaching that does not use violence or threat but God's abundant Love.

There is nothing to fear.

God will not punish us.

God punishes no one.

Throw off the yoke that you have placed around our necks.

And preach the Gospel of Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]


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