Gay bulls are culled

Should I get involved in the gay marriage debate I ask myself. Probably not, but then I have always tended to go where angels fear to tread. Many current Church attendees seem to believe that gay marriage is no big thing, so should I, as a Christian, go along with that? Christians are taught that marriage is an institution blessed by God etc, etc. Paul seems to be a bit confused about the whole thing actually. Spend some time with a Bible concordance researching marriage and see what you come up with.
Personally I think we Christians have more important things to worry about, and work on, than gay couples getting married. Let us remember that we are in the end times and it is inevitable that sin will increase and Christian values will be ridiculed. Gay marriage is not to be confused with homosexuality. Homosexuality is condemned by God. Why should two men, or two women, not live together if they truly love each other, and have that love recognized as a marriage? If that couple practice same sex intercourse then that becomes another matter. As an ex farmer I can tell you that homosexual bulls were culled and sent to the meat works. I would not advocate that for humans.
In summary, I would say let gay couples marry if that is what they think they need to make their love real. (A sad thought.) Meanwhile us Christians need to get on with loving our fellow man regardless of their sexual orientation.

Impatient Waiting

My favourite bible verse is Isaiah 40:31: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I usually use it as a call to worship on those occasions God permits me to preach from a pulpit. I have always believed it as saying to me that the Lord will do all those things for me if I but trust in him. I have recently read, however, an old sermon of John Murray's. It is contained in a book titled With Wings As Eagles, copyrighted and published in 1993 by Whitaker House. While my beliefs are agreed to by Murray, the big thing he pointed out were the words 'They that WAIT upon the Lord.' This has become my reality. I have recently shifted to Masterton in New Zealand. I did so at what I believed was the prompting of my Lord. The reason for my need to relocate was not made apparent to me but I believed fervently that it would become apparent in the Lords time. Not a patient person, I have waited for about 4 months for the reason to become apparent. As I sit writing this, and looking back over those 4 months, I can see that the need for me to be where I am is becoming apparent. I have been able to publish, as an e-book, Promises, a book of children's stories suitable for young and old. (Check it out on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble etc., or even purchase it for 0.99c USD from those stores.) Further, my other books have taken giant steps along the publishing road. I have also noticed that my involvement in my new Church is starting to be a little fruitful. However, I must still WAIT upon the Lord, something I do with impatience.

Nek Minit, Smashwords

My book Ripples has made Smashwords Premier list. I must say that I chose to publish via Smashwords as my finances are not abundant and you can publish via them for free. They provide a Style Guide for you to follow when you submit your manuscript. This, if followed, ensures that your book has minimum problems with its conversion to EPub, PDF etc. I must say a big thank you to Mark Coker at Smashwords for the Style Guide. I followed it religiously and 'nek minit' Premier status. Would I recommend that you publish via Smashwords? Most certainly. Never heard of them? Chuck their name in your search engine and find a partner who cares about independent publishing.

Published

Ripples, my book of children's stories and plays, has been published on Smashwords. I am awaiting its review to find out what, if anything, needs to be touched up to make the Premium catalogue. It is suitable for use by those in Children's Christian Ministry. The stories can be adapted to include the names of those in your Fellowship. Likewise, Parents and Grandparents would find them a great basis for sharing. I have actually found that many adults, and particularly the elderly, relate to the stories. Go on, take the chance - buy it. Now that I have taken that step, I must turn my attention to another completed adult book I have tentatively named 'Begat', and also get stuck into my Creation book which I have not added a word to for well over 6 months. Get a move on Jim.

Boy Scout Walking

Like many young New Zealanders I was a Scout. You know, the Baden Powell 'Be Prepared' type. I clearly recall learning how to walk a straight line. You line up some object, normally a tree, spire etc, fix your gaze upon it, and walk towards it ensuring that you never look to either side or down at your feet. Follow that advice and look back once you reach the object. Your footprints will be roughly in a straight line. Therein is the big secret of Christian Life. You must fix your gaze upon Christ and walk directly towards Him. Do not look to either side nor up nor down. Look else where, and you will wander from the straight and narrow. So, I've wandered off the straight and narrow. How do I get back? When I left St Columba's Church in Napier, to live in Masterton, the Communications Committee presented me with a book as a going away gift. That book shows how to get back on the straight line. It is 'Finding our way Again' by Brian McLaren and is part of The Ancient Practice Series published by Thomas Nelson. This is a book I whole-heartedly recommend. It does not matter really whether you have wandered off the path or not. It is an amazing book that will ensure you examine your current practices and help you find meaning in your spiritual life.

Family

If you are related to me and you see the heading 'Family,' you are probably saying, "What's he going to go on about this time?" Well, I am going to go on about family. Probably in a bit of a long-winded way. My wife and I have shifted back to Masterton after fourteen years in Napier. They were enjoyable years, mostly. Back here we somehow feel that we have arrived home. Certainly my Christian journey while in Napier was interesting. I went through stages; Progressive Christianity, Sea of Faith and the go to Church, sit in the pew, listen to a sermon, sing a few hymns, say the Lord's prayer and then go back to the 'real' world once again stage. Somewhere along that road though I met my Lord. It was not a massive burning bush, or bright light experience, but rather a series of small 'things'; prayers becoming meaningful, peace that would regularly envelope me while reading the bible, the words 'He walks with me and He talks with me' coming into my mind. I knew they were words from a hymn, but it was one I had never never sung or seen. The tune 'given me' was also correct. Tears now pour from my eyes whenever I sing Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. Gradually I gained a compelling urge to tell people about God; to do God's will. I felt God's blessing upon my writing. Then, I discovered Creation Science Evangelism and Answers in Genesis and became a Creationist. The interesting point is that while people accepted my Christian position, they baulked at Creationism. How can you be a Christian, accept the bible as the word of God, but not believe what it says? So where does family come in? Well on Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, I went to services at the Masterton church I had attended fourteen years previously. Although I am now older, (state the obvious Jim) with an earring, moustachioed with a goatee beard, and very long hair in a pony tail, I was welcomed back with hugs and opened arms. I don't think they realise how much of a prodigal son I feel.    

Character Building

My wife and I have recently shifted from Napier to Masterton. This has been character building in a big way. First the truck leaked in the rain and caused serious damage to many items that my wife considered irreplaceable. The washing machine then decided that its life span had been achieved. Likewise the microwave decided to join the washing machine in machine heaven. All of this would have been enough to cause melt down in a weaker man. (We did not have removal insurance which would have cost the same as normal excess and besides what could happen between Napier and Masterton!) I have not melted down. Just the opposite. There is a book on my bookshelf titled bumps make you stronger, or something similar to that. (I have yet to unpack that particular box.) The damage to our items are the bumps on the road upon which I am currently travelling and they have helped me/us to see that they are only objects. We have arrived physically safe and thank the Lord for bringing us to this place and including a valuable lesson in the process.