Hell

I liken hell to several things: 1) Hell is like being in an endless free fall in total darkness and you never, ever land; 2) Hell is like having every lustful pleasure you have ever fantasized just out of arms reach. You can see it but never touch it. It calls to you, but you can never go to it; 3) Hell is like being in a maze that goes around and around with no end and no beginning. No matter what direction you go in your end up in the same, exact place you started ... forever.

Think about that when you say there is no God. You better be real sure. As Brad Stine puts it: "If we all die & there is no God, then it's just eternal unconsciousness, you'll never know, but if you're wrong, you're know forever." Think about that ... rlkeller.

Consequences & the Missouri Senator

     I avoid political comments in my postings. I am not looking to create a firestorm. However, what I am about to say, though it involves a political figure, has a deeper, more significant meaning than having anything to do with politics. 

     The Missouri Democratic State Senator who stated she wished the president would be assassinated has been asked to resign. She is refusing. They may vote to have her removed from the State Senate and she may in fact be removed by her peers. My point in this matter is that anything and everything we say or do comes with associated consequences. Once she wrote what she did on her Facebook page she set in motion a set of consequences that cannot be avoided. She wrote what she wrote and no apology will correct the situation. As it turns out, she is a Christian woman or at least declared that "My judge and jury is my Lord Jesus Christ." Yes, she admitted she made a mistake. Yes, she admitted she failed and specifically apologized to the president, his family, the people of Missouri and her colleagues. That is all well and good but the universal law of consequences has been set in motion and it shall be fulfilled. What those consequences will be remains to be seen. Perhaps God will be merciful to her and spare her any dire consequences. Perhaps she should have thought her actions thru before she posted that incendiary message. 

     I want to stress that consequences are not a God thing. Consequences come attached to our words and actions. It's unavoidable. That is why we should never allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions. We must think before we speak. Then think again. What we say and do can have an impact on a lot of people. We can't take back what we've said or done. It's out there and there is no delete key in life. rlkeller 

Common Decency

     Where has common decency and basic civility gone in society today? I am reminded of the rude, crude, raw nature of man nearly every day and I don't have to look any further than the men's bathroom at work. Some would say it's simply a cultural thing, but I don't think so. Sure, we have male workers from many South American countries working there, plus some from areas in Africa and French Haiti. Cultures would certainly be different, but peeing on a toilet seat rather than lifting it up is pure laziness, not a cultural difference.  Splashing yourself with water so as to get it all over the counter top and on the floor isn't a cultural thing, simply uncivilized and inconsiderate behavior. If I did that in their homes I don't think they'd like it one bit. It galls me, but I say nothing because they are unmoved by peoples criticism of their disgusting habits. It's sad to me that so many of our fellow men think nothing of the comfort of others who must also use the same facilities they enjoy. That's it ... just sayin'. rlkeller

THE LBGT COMMUNITY

   Have you noticed the progression of minority groups such as the LGBT community? Although they want you to think they are this colossus that dominates the landscape, they are a distinct minority. According to a study done by The Williams Institute Distinguished Scholar Gary J. Gates back in 2011, only 3.5% of the US population identify themselves as a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community; roughly 9 million individuals or the population of the state of New Jersey. So 96.5% of Americans would be considered straight, yet phobias abound. If you don’t agree with them 100% you are classified as intolerant. You are rolled into a classification such as “Homophobic” or now “Transphobic”.

     While it happens to be true that a person can do whatever they want in life, not all things are beneficial or constructive for them. Doing whatever you want is definitely NOT God’s plan for you. How do I know that? Because I know the Bible well enough to know that God has a plan for each of us that will bless us and cause us to spiritually prosper. Christ didn’t willingly die on a cross to let us simply give a head nod of acknowledgment and nothing else. Doing whatever strikes our fancy is like driving down a hill in the dark with no lights on. The results are rarely good.

     The LBGT community has thrust themselves on the scene essentially forcing people to notice them. Why? I’m not sure I know. I never understood why Gays feel so compelled to “come out of the closet”. They have made a lifestyle choice that I don’t happen to embrace or agree with, but it is their choice and I have no problem with their right to choose. I believe God has a problem with it, but I also happen to know that he loves all people, regardless of their choices in life. God in no way condones their lifestyle choice and sin is not tolerated in his presence, but it is their right to choose.

     In the end, God will sort this mess all out. May he have mercy on us all for none of us are perfect, not one of us. While he forgives, it must be sought and while he is tolerant of many things, he is NOT tolerant of sin in any shape, size or form. We must give up our own selfish desires and tap into the desires he has for us and make them ours. rlkeller