Atheists - hear them out

Well, I don't know that the name of the atheist group "Coalition of Reason" really incites people toward love and harmony. It's a bit smug. It would be like naming a group "People Who Aren't Jerks", making all people who have differences with the group be almost de facto jerks.

That aside, I would reason (see what I did there ;)) that it's good that they are speaking up in subways in New York, per a CNN article:

Some New Yorkers may want to reconsider exclaiming "Thank God" when arriving at their destination subway station beginning Monday.

Or at least that's what a coalition of eight atheist organizations are hoping, having purchased a month-long campaign that will place their posters in a dozen busy subway stations throughout Manhattan.

The advertisements ask the question, written simply over an image of a blue sky with wispy white clouds: "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?"

Now there are some who would want to shut them up. I don't. I'm all for it. I believe in a strong God who stands up to scrutiny, and I believe in hearing all views, testing everything, and seeing what holds water.

After all, if we won't listen when they speak, why would we have the audacity to expect them to listen when we do?

Hallelujah! now hand over the cash.

The victim of a robbery at gunpoint became the recipient of some compassion and prayer. The robber prayed and consoled the woman for about 20 minutes before taking off with the cash:

The clerk who prayed and hugged a gunman at an Indianapolis check-cashing business says she felt God's presence during the robbery.

Angela Montez says a warmness came over her Monday as she talked with the man even though she was scared that she'd never see her children again.

I really don't have any earth-shattering spiritual goodness to bring out of this. I actually find the story a little odd, but I guess that's why it sticks out.

It's just an interesting story. Enjoy.

Unity involves differences

When I lived in Knoxville, there was a Church of Christ I passed almost daily that had some very interesting sayings on their sign. One was this gem:

Unfortunately many hold this view, but in truth, accepting others regardless of their views can be more unifying than accepting only those that completely agree. Because when people in that second group do feel differently about something, they feel isolated and alone, afraid to speak their mind. Where is the unity in that?

True unity is letting everyone think for themselves instead of being part of a herd and accepting them even if you don't agree with or even accept their beliefs. On 9-11 everyone still had many of the same beliefs they had the day before, and yet our country was unified. We need more of that unity and less of the other.

Be kind to your friends and cry

Proverbs 25:20

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Ever have something much more than a bad day? A bad week? Or more like a bad month? We've all had those times. And chances are we have had people coming up to us saying "It will all be okay" or "God has a plan for you in this" or "All things work together for good..."

If you have been one of those people to say that - stop! When people are hurting the only reason we want them to cheer up is for ourselves. They need to feel the pain to overcome it. If they hurt, hurt with them. If they cry, cry with them. Feel their pain.

Don't sing songs to a heavy hurt. Love your neighbor and mourn when he mourns.

Do you need a miracle? no.

When I go to work each day, I pass a billboard for a local church that says "Do you need a miracle?" To be quite frank, no. I don't.

I also don't want to win the lottery. The things of life that are of value are things which can't be won or granted by a genie, which is what God becomes to those who are always looking for miracles.

Give me strength, give me wisdom, give me determination, by simply following the principles laid out before me and taking the right road and not the easy one. After all, the lessons in life are to teach and if we simply have the answers given to us, we learn nothing and therefore are not truly living life.

Don't ask for a miracle; ask what you should be learning through your trials.

Test everything

I Thessalonians 5:21

Test everything. Hold on to the good.

I like that. I have been in too many places where people were afraid to answer tough questions. Yes, the easy ones were just fine, but the tough ones, well that was the time for faith.

And this is not the first time Paul points to questioning. At one point he pointed to those that question and said they had noble character.

I think everyone should think for themselves, which is why I love this verse. "Test Everything." Brilliant. Followed by the equally solid "Hold on to the good."

Great stuff.

Wait! what about drinking, smoking, and...

Galatians 5:19-21:

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

When I was growing up into adulthood, it seemed like so much emphasis was put on avoiding drinking, smoking, drugs, and sex. And yet, when Paul talks about obvious sinful acts he doesn't really talk about any of these. Sure he talks about sexual immorality and orgies, but, not to go about splitting hairs, he could have said premarital sex and he didn't. And he did say drunkenness but not drinking.

The real point here is that the things he cites are more about destructive behavior instead of "the big 4". Living a good, fruitful life isn't about avoiding things; it's about choosing positive things. It's not about avoiding junk food; it's about eating healthy food. It's not about avoiding sex; it's about having a healthy relationship in all it's aspects. It's not about avoiding booze; it's about making responsible decisions.

A good life is about what you do - not what you don't do. Don't live shunning the bad; live it seeking out the good.