lgfromillinois

How is this out of proper context?  Paul was writting about those who demanded how a certain procedure (circumcision) could only qualify one as a follower of Christ.  Paul thought their motives were suspect, having to do with their own well-being, not the well-being of all who were called to Christ.  I accept Ms. Dixon's statement as an analogy.  Mr. Limbaugh went too far in speaking of Ms. Fluke.  I would differ with Ms. Dixon that rather than making a flat statement, I would ask a question. Has Mr. Limbaugh revealed his heart is not pure?  I can't say for certain, but mr limbaugh gives me no reason to listen to his opinions.

Thank you for posting your interview. It reminded me of why I voted for Mr. Obama eight years ago.

Luke 21 V 1-4 (KJV) "...he looked up and saw the rich men casting thier gifts into the treasury. And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all of these have of their abundance cast in unto the the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." My point is if you have abundance and can share both in charity and the national common good, why such reticence? Conservatives think reducing the national debt is in the common good.
Arguments over abortion are full of heat but supply little light. Neither entrenched side impress me. Jim Wallis as long called for finding common ground. Saying that the government rule is war on religion drives apart the sides, and delays a search for common ground. I hope Pres Obama does revise the rule after listening to serious Catholic and other's objections.

From my reading I concluded the result of Jubilee that no one's descendents (if Jewish) were to perpetually be enslaved or impoverished.  A person released in Jubilee year was to go out with sufficient resources to make a new life.   What is a modern equivalence?  Can we have in our economic system a way that bad times don't hang over someone preventing building a new life?  Bankruptcy, bad credit ratings do hang on, with high interest charges and poor employment choices.  A man, with his family, in our town moved here to take an executive job, bought a nice house, and settled in.  His job was eliminated within 6 months.  Unemployed, he lost the house he bought and the old one he left when moving.  He received charity (from my church among others).  He struggles now to reestablish himself.  He has strikes againest him that he is mostly blameless for.  Where is the Jubilee for such a situation?

It is not Capitalism itself that is condemned by many on the left, it is the practice. Predatory practices are what are condemned, and the hypocrisy of saying that lending to those with small means, an unwillingness to work out better terms for those without immediate means to pay but have an ability to make up missed payments, and taking back collateral leaving homeless people are within Bibical moralty. As with ancient Isreal and Judah, such practices weaken a nation and trash its good and its greatness. Ezek 34 v1-6; Zech 7 v9-10; James 2 v 2-5

I appreciate any way that reading and blogging may be improved. Besides going off topic, I never object to anything posted. Strong opinions are stated forcefully, and I find few that violate the site policies. As to not posting under an assumed name, please allow, and register real names behind the assumed name. By the way I don't use facebook or twitter, I do have a Google account.

I am saddened by actions of some Christians who act in unchristian ways.  We all may at times act like the Pharisees criticized by Jesus.  Perhaps we like King Saul (1st Samuel) are impatient when God does not act as quickly we deisre, act presumptiously, and thus liable to lose His favor; or we stop short of the action God desires and do not accomplish all that we might have.

I think a most important scene from a Christmas Carol is when the Ghost of Christmas Present is to leave Scrooge, the ghost shows him two bedraggled, wild-eyed children huddled under his robe. To Scrooge's question, the ghost says the two are 'man's'. The girl is want; the boy is ignorance. The ghost warns to beware of both, but says to beware most of 'this boy'. We should beware of the ignorance of the poverty, hunger and want that so infests our world.

Thank you, Jim.  We need to keep remembering "the reason for the season" (to use the cliche).  Complaints about commercialization go back years.  A good one from the late fifties is Stan Freburg recording of 'Green Christmas', green as in the color of money, where cash registers take the place of jingle bells.

The question is would Mr. Gingrich be willing and able to advance a peace process, or even maintain open dialogue with Palestinians? I say no. But Isreal's security must be advanced through a peace process. Miltary arms will not always be sufficient for security for Isreal.

'60 Minutes' last night had a fuller report of what happened in 2008-09. I thought of the parable of a king who settled accounts with his servants (Mt 18 v23-35). A servant who owed much was forgiven by the king, but the servant turned around and treated a fellow servant who owed him a little harshly. The king called that servant 'wicked' for how he treated his fellow. Should we who are kings of our country not call these bailed-out banks and financial institutions 'wicked' for their treatment of fellow Americans?

A Red Sox fan, Jim?  I'm a Cubs fan, which is how I have learned humility ( and I'm proud of it!)  Seriously, reading the Bible is how to be humble.  The burden is light, but the path is narrow.  In how we act toward others and in community, is how we appear before God.  For all human beings are our neighbor, all worthy of compassion if each of us wishes compassion in return, and seekers of the good things of God.